Spode is one of the oldest and most recognized names in English bone china and earthenware, producing some of the world’s most beloved tableware patterns since 1770. The Blue Italian pattern alone has been in continuous production for over 200 years. Whether you inherited a set of Blue Italian, a Christmas Tree service, or pieces with an unfamiliar backstamp, this guide covers everything collectors need to identify, date, and value their Spode.
History of Spode
Josiah Spode I founded the Spode pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, in 1770. He built his reputation on high-quality blue transfer-printed earthenware that could be produced consistently and affordably. In the 1790s, Spode I is credited with perfecting the formula for English bone china — adding calcined bone ash (typically 50% of the body) to a translucent porcelain mix. This formula, with minor variations, became the British standard and is still used today. Josiah Spode I died in 1797, and his son Josiah Spode II continued the business, introducing what would become the company’s most enduring pattern: Blue Italian, first produced around 1816.
Josiah Spode II died in 1827, and the company passed to William Copeland, a business partner. In 1833, ownership transferred to William Copeland and Thomas Garrett, beginning a long period when the company traded as Copeland & Garrett (1833 to 1847) and then W.T. Copeland (1847 to 1970). During these years, the Spode name appeared on backstamps only intermittently — many pieces from this era are marked ‘Copeland’ or ‘Copeland & Garrett’ rather than Spode. The Spode name was revived formally in 1970 when the company was renamed Spode Ltd. Royal Worcester merged with Spode in 2009, and though the Portmeirion Group later acquired the Spode brand and continues to produce some patterns, vintage collectors prize pre-1970s Copeland and pre-2009 Spode Ltd. pieces.
How to Date Spode by Backstamp
The backstamp is the most reliable tool for dating any piece from the Spode factory. Because the company traded under several names over 250 years, the mark tells you not just who made the piece but when. Here are the major backstamp eras:
Spode (1770 to 1833): Early Marks
Early Spode marks were often printed in blue under the glaze on transferware or painted on bone china in red or black. The simplest marks read just ‘SPODE’ in uppercase letters, sometimes with a pattern name or number. Pieces from this era (1770 to 1833) are the oldest and generally the most valuable at auction. Pattern numbers on early Spode (printed alongside the mark) can help date pieces more precisely; specialist references such as Robert Copeland’s ‘Spode’s Willow Pattern and Other Designs’ catalogue pattern numbers by production period.
Copeland & Garrett (1833 to 1847)
From 1833 to 1847, pieces were marked ‘COPELAND & GARRETT’ — sometimes with ‘Late Spode’ added to reassure buyers that the factory was unchanged. Pieces reading ‘Copeland & Garrett Late Spode’ are therefore definitively dateable to between 1833 and 1847. These marks appear on both bone china and the creamy earthenware called ‘stone china’ or ‘new fayence’ that the factory produced alongside fine wares.
W.T. Copeland (1847 to 1970)
This is the longest and most varied backstamp era. Pieces are marked ‘COPELAND’ or ‘W.T. COPELAND’ with varying additional text. From 1847 to approximately 1890, the mark often reads ‘Copeland Late Spode’ — again, the ‘Late Spode’ reference was used as a quality signal. After 1890, most marks simply read ‘Copeland’ with ‘England’ added after 1891 (a requirement for goods exported to the United States under the McKinley Tariff Act). ‘Made in England’ replaced ‘England’ from approximately 1920 onward. A Copeland piece with ‘England’ (not ‘Made in England’) is therefore pre-1920. Copeland pieces from the Parian ware era (1840s through 1870s) are highly collectible — Parian is an unglazed white biscuit porcelain used for portrait busts, statuary, and decorative figures.
Spode Ltd. (1970 to 2009)
When the company was renamed Spode Ltd. in 1970, the Spode name returned to backstamps with a new design featuring the word ‘SPODE’ in a serif font, often with ‘England’ or ‘Made in England’ below and the pattern name above. Most Spode Ltd. pieces also include a pattern name in text on the backstamp (e.g., ‘Blue Italian,’ ‘Christmas Tree,’ ‘Tower’). Pieces marked ‘Spode’ without ‘Ltd.’ but with ‘England’ or ‘Made in England’ are from this 1970 to 2009 period. Royal Worcester and Spode merged in 2009; pieces made after that may show combined branding.
Spode Blue Italian: The World's Longest-Running Pattern
Blue Italian is Spode’s most famous pattern and the longest continuously produced transfer-print pattern in the world, in production since approximately 1816. The pattern depicts an idealized Italian landscape with a central lake or river scene, classical ruins, a bridge, and lush vegetation — all rendered in the deep cobalt blue under-glaze transfer print that made 18th and 19th century Staffordshire wares famous. Despite being described as ‘Italian,’ the specific landscape is fictional rather than a true topographic representation.
Early Blue Italian pieces (pre-1833 Spode marks) show the deepest, richest blue and the finest engraving detail. The Copeland era (1833 to 1970) continued the pattern with consistent quality; pieces from this period are the most commonly found in the secondary market. Spode Ltd. (post-1970) pieces are still widely available new and used. Value for Blue Italian is driven primarily by age and completeness of a set rather than pattern rarity, since the pattern was produced for so long.
Blue Italian Value Guide
- Dinner plates, Spode Ltd. (post-1970): $15 to $40 each
- Dinner plates, Copeland era (1847 to 1970): $25 to $60 each
- Dinner plates, early Spode or Copeland & Garrett (pre-1847): $60 to $200 each
- Complete 12-place services, Spode Ltd.: $300 to $700
- Complete 12-place services, Copeland era: $500 to $1,200
- Blue Italian teapots, Spode Ltd.: $80 to $150
- Blue Italian soup tureens with lid and ladle: $200 to $500
- Blue Italian platters (large, pre-1847): $150 to $400
- Blue Italian butter dishes, covered: $60 to $120
- Blue Italian pieces with professional restoration: 50% to 70% reduction
Spode Christmas Tree Pattern
The Christmas Tree pattern was introduced by Spode in 1938 and became especially popular in the United States. The pattern features a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments in green and red on a white ground. Christmas Tree is the second most recognized Spode pattern and the most seasonally driven collectible in the Spode range. Unlike Blue Italian, Christmas Tree pieces hold value primarily as complete seasonal sets rather than individual pieces.
Pre-1970 Copeland-marked Christmas Tree pieces are rarer and more valuable than later Spode Ltd. pieces. The earliest Copeland-era Christmas Tree pieces (1938 to 1970) show slightly different artwork and coloring from the post-1970 Spode Ltd. versions. Full Christmas Tree services with serving pieces (platters, soup tureens, gravy boats, covered casseroles) command significant premiums over individual place settings.
Christmas Tree Value Guide
- Christmas Tree dinner plates, Spode Ltd. (post-1970): $20 to $45 each
- Christmas Tree dinner plates, Copeland era (pre-1970): $35 to $80 each
- Christmas Tree complete 12-place service, Spode Ltd.: $400 to $900
- Christmas Tree mugs, Spode Ltd.: $15 to $35 each
- Christmas Tree covered cookie jar or biscuit barrel: $80 to $150
- Christmas Tree soup tureen with lid and ladle: $200 to $450
- Christmas Tree serving platter, large: $75 to $150
- Christmas Tree gravy boat with underplate: $60 to $120
Other Notable Spode Patterns
Tower Blue
Tower is a blue transfer-print pattern introduced in 1814 — predating Blue Italian by about two years — depicting a bridge and tower in a riverside landscape. Tower is less widely known outside specialist collector circles than Blue Italian, but early examples are highly collectible. The pattern was produced continuously from 1814 and is still available today from Portmeirion, which acquired the Spode brand. Early Spode-marked and Copeland-marked Tower pieces carry the strongest premiums.
Spode's Willow
The Willow pattern is one of the most produced blue and white transfer-print designs in history, made by dozens of potteries. Spode’s version, based on the classic willow pattern with the three figures on a bridge crossing to a willow-shaded island, is among the most authentically early versions and carries a significant premium over generic Willow made by other manufacturers. A Spode or Copeland-marked Willow piece is worth 3x to 5x a comparably sized piece marked only ‘England’ or with no maker’s mark.
Buttercup
Buttercup is a delicate yellow floral pattern on bone china produced by Spode Ltd. from the 1970s onward. It is one of the most popular Spode patterns for everyday use and replacement buying. Buttercup pieces are widely available in the secondary market and represent an accessible entry point to Spode collecting.
Florence
Florence is a formal bone china pattern with a central floral medallion, cobalt blue border, and heavy gold decoration. Produced in the mid-20th century by Copeland and later Spode Ltd., Florence is the most sought-after Spode pattern for formal dining and commands prices comparable to Wedgwood Florentine or Royal Doulton Carlyle among collectors of formal English bone china.
Ravel and Finer Bone China Patterns
Spode produced a wide range of formal bone china patterns during the Copeland era and into the Spode Ltd. period. Patterns with heavy cobalt and gold borders (Ravel, Gloucester, Billingsley Rose) are the most valuable among formal-dining collectors. These patterns were often produced to order for hotels and institutions as well as for private sale, meaning some examples bear additional crests or monograms that add or reduce value depending on the buyer.
Spode Parian Ware
Copeland and Spode produced significant quantities of Parian ware — an unglazed white biscuit porcelain with a slight warmth that resembles Parian marble — from the 1840s through the early 1900s. Parian was used for portrait busts, allegorical figures, decorative vases, and flower holders. Copeland Parian busts of Victoria, Albert, Wellington, and literary figures are highly collectible. Marked Copeland Parian pieces in excellent condition sell for $150 to $2,000+ depending on subject, size, and quality. Unmarked white busts of this era are worth considerably less even if visually similar.
Spode China Value Guide
Values below reflect current secondary market activity on eBay completed sales, Replacements Ltd. pricing, and specialist auction results. Condition is critical — chips, cracks, or fading reduce value significantly on all Spode patterns.
- Blue Italian dinner plate, Spode Ltd. (post-1970): $15 to $40
- Blue Italian dinner plate, Copeland era (pre-1970): $25 to $75
- Blue Italian dinner plate, early Spode mark (pre-1833): $75 to $250
- Christmas Tree dinner plate, Spode Ltd.: $20 to $45
- Tower dinner plate, Copeland era: $30 to $80
- Spode Willow plate, Spode or Copeland mark: $40 to $120
- Florence bone china dinner plate, Copeland: $50 to $120
- Parian bust, marked Copeland, common subject: $150 to $450
- Parian bust, marked Copeland, rare subject or large size: $400 to $2,000+
- Complete 12-place Blue Italian service, Spode Ltd.: $300 to $700
- Complete 12-place Christmas Tree service, Spode Ltd.: $400 to $900
- Blue Italian platter, large (pre-1900): $150 to $400
- Any piece with chip, crack, or crazing: 50% to 80% reduction
How to Identify Spode Patterns
Most Spode Ltd. pieces (post-1970) have the pattern name printed on the backstamp alongside the Spode mark, making identification straightforward. For older Copeland and early Spode pieces, the pattern name is sometimes absent. In those cases, the most reliable identification method is matching the visual design to reference photographs in specialist resources. Robert Copeland’s ‘Spode’s Willow Pattern and Other Designs After the Chinese’ is the definitive reference for Spode blue and white transferware. For bone china patterns, the Spode Collector’s Society and Replacements Ltd.’s online database are the most comprehensive free resources.
Pattern numbers (printed numerals alongside the mark on older pieces) are a secondary identification tool. Early Spode pattern numbers were assigned sequentially and are documented in specialist pattern books. A piece with pattern number 2118, for example, is Blue Italian — this number was assigned when the pattern was introduced circa 1816 and appeared on pieces for decades. Finding the pattern number in a Spode pattern reference can confirm both the pattern name and the approximate production era.
Caring for Spode China
- Blue and white transferware: dishwasher safe in most cases (Spode Ltd. pieces), but hand washing preserves the glaze longer and prevents micro-cracking
- Bone china with gold or platinum borders: hand wash only — dishwashers strip precious metal decoration that cannot be restored
- Do not use abrasive scrubbers on transfer-printed surfaces — the blue transfer can lift if repeatedly abraded
- Store plates with felt or foam separators between each piece — the unglazed foot ring of an upper plate scratches the surface below
- Parian ware: dust only with a soft dry brush; never immerse in water as the unglazed biscuit body absorbs moisture and staining
- Avoid sudden temperature changes with bone china — never move from refrigerator directly to oven
Where to Buy and Sell Spode
- Replacements Ltd.: The most comprehensive source for individual piece replacement across all Spode patterns. Their pricing reflects professional dealer levels rather than eBay spot market.
- eBay completed sales: Search the specific pattern name plus 'Spode' and filter by 'sold' for actual transaction prices. The Blue Italian and Christmas Tree markets are very active.
- Ruby Lane and Etsy antique sellers: Specialist dealers on these platforms often carry well-described, correctly attributed Spode at fair prices.
- UK auction houses (Woolley & Wallis, Bonhams): The best venues for significant Copeland Parian, early Spode transferware, and formal bone china services.
- Spode Collector's Society: Members-only sales and a network of specialist dealers for rarer patterns and Copeland-era pieces.
- Estate sales: Spode Blue Italian and Christmas Tree appear regularly at American estate sales, often underpriced relative to Replacements Ltd. values.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spode China
Why does my Spode say Copeland instead of Spode?
The Spode factory traded under the Copeland name from 1833 to 1970. William Copeland took ownership after the Spode family, and the company became Copeland & Garrett (1833 to 1847) and then W.T. Copeland (1847 to 1970). Pieces marked ‘Copeland,’ ‘Copeland & Garrett,’ or ‘Copeland Late Spode’ were all made at the original Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The Spode name returned to backstamps only in 1970 when the company was renamed Spode Ltd. So a Copeland-marked piece is genuine Spode factory production — it is simply from the era when the company used the Copeland name.
How old is my Blue Italian Spode?
Check the backstamp. If it reads ‘Spode’ without further text, the piece is either pre-1833 (very early and very valuable) or post-1970 (Spode Ltd. era). If it reads ‘Copeland & Garrett,’ it is from 1833 to 1847. If it reads ‘Copeland’ or ‘W.T. Copeland,’ it is from 1847 to 1970; the addition of ‘England’ (1891 onward) or ‘Made in England’ (approximately 1920 onward) narrows it further. If it reads ‘Spode’ with ‘Made in England’ and the pattern name printed below, it is post-1970 Spode Ltd. Blue Italian has been made at every stage of this history, so the backstamp is essential for dating.
Is Spode china valuable?
Spode china ranges widely in value depending on age, pattern, and condition. Post-1970 Spode Ltd. Blue Italian and Christmas Tree pieces are widely available and modestly priced ($15 to $45 per plate). Early Spode-marked or Copeland-marked pieces from the 19th century carry stronger premiums — a pre-1847 Blue Italian dinner plate can be worth $75 to $250. Rare Copeland Parian busts, early formal bone china services, and complete sets with all serving pieces command the highest prices. For everyday Spode, completeness of a set and condition are the primary value drivers.
What is the difference between Spode and Copeland Spode?
‘Spode’ refers to the original factory established by Josiah Spode I in 1770 and its products before 1833, as well as the company’s production after the Spode name was revived in 1970. ‘Copeland Spode’ or ‘Copeland’ refers to the same factory’s production between 1833 and 1970, when it was owned by the Copeland family. Both are authentic products of the same Stoke-on-Trent factory; the difference is simply the ownership era reflected in the backstamp. Collectors value both, with the age of the piece (pre- vs. post-1900, for example) generally mattering more than whether it says Spode or Copeland.
Does Spode still make Blue Italian?
Yes. The Portmeirion Group acquired the Spode brand and continues to produce Blue Italian to this day, making it the world’s longest continuously produced transfer-print pattern (in production since approximately 1816). New Portmeirion Spode Blue Italian is widely available at retail. Vintage collectors distinguish between these current pieces and pre-2009 Spode Ltd. production and pre-1970 Copeland production, but for functional use the pattern remains the same.
How do I find a replacement piece for my Spode pattern?
Replacements Ltd. is the most comprehensive source for individual Spode replacements, carrying hundreds of Spode patterns including discontinued ones. Look for the pattern name on your piece’s backstamp, then search Replacements Ltd.’s website by that name. If no name appears on the backstamp, photograph the piece and describe the dominant colors, motif, and border to Replacements Ltd.’s identification service. For Blue Italian and Christmas Tree, new production pieces are available directly from retailers carrying Portmeirion Spode products.
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