Antique English Chestnut Basket or Centerpiece and Underplate, Spode, circa 1820
About the Item
- Creator:Josiah Spode (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.1 in (7.88 cm)Diameter: 9.6 in (24.39 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1820
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very Nice Antique Condition.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: f172721607195139863fs
Josiah Spode
English potter Josiah Spode, a friend and neighbor of another estimable English ceramist, Josiah Wedgwood, established his eponymous pottery and homewares company in 1770 in Stoke-on-Trent. Spode is one of the oldest and most distinguished of the great pottery companies of Staffordshire, the time-honored home of English ceramics. Within fifteen years of its opening, Josiah’s company became known for its signature blue-on-white palette, and one of the manufacturer’s designers developed a specific cobalt hue for their teapots, trays, bowls and more.
Spode’s founder apprenticed at the Fenton Low workshop under Thomas Whieldon, an important 18th-century potter known today for his tortoiseshell ware (as did Josiah Wedgwood). Later, after establishing his company, Josiah Spode became particularly revered for two technical achievements in the firm’s early decades. The first was to develop a standard formula for the making of bone china — a type of porcelain (made with a mixture of bone ash, minerals and clay) that is dazzlingly white and so strong it can be used to create very thin translucent plates and vessels. The other was to perfect the making of transferware. That process involves the transfer of pictorial images inked on tissue paper — such as the garden scenery in the famous Willow dish patterns — onto ceramics that are then sealed with a glaze.
In 1833, entrepreneurs William Taylor Copeland (the Lord Mayor of London at the time) and Thomas Garrett purchased Spode’s pottery-making company following the death of Josiah Spode III, and the name was changed to Copeland Spode. Then, in 1847, Copeland became the firm’s sole owner and the name changed again, this time to W. T. Copeland and Sons, in 1867 when Copeland retired and his four sons took over the business.
Trading as W. T. Copeland and Sons throughout the mid-to-late 19th century, the company found a formidable competitor in another well-known porcelain maker, Minton. Many of the manufacturer’s Georgian, Rococo and late-Victorian pieces such as its dinner plates, tableware, platters, bowls and baskets were commissioned by wealthy British and European clients and exported for sale throughout the British Empire and to the United States. Several of W. T. Copeland and Sons’ spectacular pieces were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 and the International Exhibitions of London and Paris in 1862 and 1878, respectively.
Spode enjoyed tremendous success both in Britain and elsewhere owing to the beauty and vitality of its decorative imagery. By some counts, Spode created more than 40,000 patterns in the 19th century. Many favorite Spode patterns — among them Blue Italian, India Tree, Greek and Woodland — date to the company’s early years. Spode’s most popular pattern, Christmas Tree, was introduced in 1938. Prices for Spode china vary widely, based on the size of the service, its condition and the pattern, and collectors regard Copeland-marked pieces as Spode china.
The company continued as W. T. Copeland and Sons until 1970 when Spode again became the brand's name. Afterward, during the late 1970s, Spode, Royal Worcester and Palissy came under common ownership. In 2009, the firm was purchased by the Portmeirion Group. However, the Spode and Royal Worcester names continue to flourish as highly popular “traditional English heritage” brands within the Portmeirion company.
Find antique Josiah Spode dinner plates, serveware, ceramics and other pieces on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Centerpiece, Hand-Painted FloralsBy Old ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA stunning piece of Old Paris porcelain that features two sides of beautiful hand-painted floral panels, hand-cut work and hand-painted trim. Nicely shaped with a long and deep boat ...Category
Antique 1840s French Empire Revival Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique English Periwinkle Blue Dessert Service for 16, Spode Circa 1820By SpodeLocated in West Palm Beach, FLWhat a lovely service with so many pieces. Made by the re known English factory, Spode and hand written species detailed in script to the back of each piece. This set features a rais...Category
Antique 1820s British Dinner Plates
MaterialsGold, Enamel
- Large and Impressive Green Antique Art Glass Vase With Raised Gilding Circa 1880By MoserLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThe overall size of this large piece with its mouth blown artistic shape, gorgeous green color and the hand painted all over 24 karat gilding really all adds up to one fantastic piece. While it may only be a little over 10 inches tall it's wider body adds to the overall wow factor. We have had similar shapes by Moser but in much smaller scale and dimensions. This vase is in beautiful antique condition. This piece will serve well as hallway or dining table centerpiece...Category
Antique 1880s Czech Vases
MaterialsGold
- Antique Porcelain Bird Sculpture or Figurine, Hand Painted and Realistic, KPMBy Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)Located in West Palm Beach, FLA finely detailed and realistically modeled and hand painted piece from the Royal Porcelain Manufacturer of Germany, KPM, circa 1900 and in really nice antique condition and ready fo...Category
Antique 1890s German Animal Sculptures
MaterialsEnamel
- 12 Antique English Dessert Plates, Cobalt Blue and Hand-Painted Florals TiffanyBy CauldonLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA classic pattern by Cauldon of England which was custom ordered through Tiffany's in many different color ways. We have had the pleasure of offering this beautiful pattern in cobalt...Category
Vintage 1920s Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Tall Turquoise Glass Centerpiece Epergne, Hand Blown Custom Colors AvailableBy Pairpoint GlassworksLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAn exquisite tall and impressive centerpiece that we have commissioned from original archives. Beautiful and hard to find turquoise blue with signature controlled bubble base created...Category
2010s American Centerpieces
MaterialsBlown Glass
- English Derby Porcelain Centerpiece, Early 19th Century, 'circa 1784-1820'By Royal Crown Derby PorcelainLocated in Lantau, HKHand painted derby porcelain, jar with lid, gilded, signed and dated The Warwick vase was a popular shape during the early 19th century in Europe. Widely copied in decorative arts. ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- English Porcelain Ice Pail, Derby, circa 1820By Royal Crown Derby PorcelainLocated in New York, NYEnglish porcelain Ice Pail, Derby, circa 1820.Category
Antique 1820s English Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875.Located in New Orleans, LAAntique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875. This is a charming centerpiece, with three cherubs supporting the shell and the...Category
Antique 19th Century French Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- English Porcelain Orange and Gold Centerpiece, circa 1820Located in New York, NYEnglish porcelain orange and gold centerpiece, circa 1820.Category
Antique 1820s English Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- English Porcelain Floral and Fruit Centerpiece, circa 1820Located in New York, NYDepicting an array of colorful flowers and fruit.Category
Antique 1820s English Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Three-Tiered Dessert Stand or CenterpieceBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Great Barrington, MA20" tall Meissen three-tiered dessert stand with unusual 5 1/2" tall trumpet vase. Hand-painted "Blue Onion" pattern with pierced rims. Largest cake...Category
Early 20th Century German Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain, Paste