Spode

Spode designs for today with a history of excellence

With over 250 years of innovation behind each piece, Spode dinnerware is a well-loved classic. The traditional blue and white favorite, Blue Italian, endures even today, a testament to the company's technical achievements.

The popular game-inspired Woodland pattern also offers Woodland Hunting Dogs, Woodland American Wildlife, and Woodland Horses. Spode's Christmas Tree pattern has been a favorite since 1937. Spode dinnerware sets offer tableware accessories, serving dishes and oven-to-table baking dishes to complete a table setting. Woodland and Blue Italian offer coordinating placemats and coasters.

Spode has gifts appropriate for friends, family and even pets. European Tableware is an authorized dealer of Spode and is happy to take special orders.

The Spode Story

In 1770, the outstanding skills and creativity of Josiah Spode were realized when he opened his factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England. During his life, Spode perfected many techniques, two of which were blue underglaze printing and the formula for fine bone china.

Spode perfected the process for blue underglaze printing on earthenware from hand-engraved copper plates in 1784. Ever since the introduction of this process, Spode's original blue and white designs have become some of the most collectable and sought after in the history of ceramics. Spode's formula for bone chine gave it its brilliant whiteness and delicate translucency.

In continuous production since 1816, Blue Italian is undoubtedly one of the all-time classic tableware patterns. The central scene is thought to be ruins near Rome. In the interpretation of design, the remarkable sense of space and atmosphere, the elegant integration of figures into the scene, demonstrate how the outstanding techniques of engraving were established at Spode.

Today, using techniques and designs from a wealth of authentic engravings and molds carefully preserved within the archives, many of the same designs and items are again being produced to the delight of connoisseurs and collectors.