A Guide to Spode's Iconic Blue and White Patterns

A design classic, blue and white has long captivated collectors and households alike, its timeless charm transcending trends. Before Spode made it a signature, English potters drew inspiration from imported Delftware and the intricate chinoiserie designs that were highly sought after.

It was into this rich decorative tradition that Josiah Spode II introduced his own vision: the Blue Italian pattern, first launched in 1816. Featuring the romanticised Italian landscapes framed by a delicate chinoiserie-inspired border, this design quickly became an English pottery icon. More than 200 years later, Blue Italian continues to be produced in our Stoke-on-Trent, England, factory, alongside new blue and white designs that honor Spode's enduring legacy.

Explore our current blue and white collections below and find your favorite:

Spode's founder, Josiah Spode I, was a true innovator of his time, pioneering a method that would transform the production of blue-and-white pottery. By perfecting underglaze transfer printing, Spode was able to transfer intricate designs from engraved copper plates onto earthenware before glazing and firing. This technique allowed for beautifully detailed patterns to be reproduced consistently and efficiently, something that had previously only been possible through laborious hand painting.

The impact of this innovation was profound. For the first time, finely decorated ceramics became accessible to a wider audience, eventually moving beyond the elite and upper classes to adorn homes across England and eventually the world. Spode’s breakthrough not only revolutionized the pottery industry but also laid the foundation for generations of collectors and enthusiasts to enjoy luxury tableware in their everyday lives.

Bought to life by Josiah Spode II, he took his father’s technique of blue under-glaze printing to create one of the most admired ceramic collections of all time. During a time when many wealthy, upper-class young men took trips through Europe, with Italy as a key destination, Spode found that the trend for oriental designs evolved into a desire for European landscapes and scenes. With this in mind, Josiah II created a design that was the perfect blend of the two.

The actual origin and inspiration of the Blue Italian design has puzzled collectors and admirers for many years. Spode engravers would often take inspiration from scenes that appeared as prints, and it now believed that the iconic design was based on a Claude Lorraine pastoral landscape of 1638 and paired with a Chinese-inspired border.

Blue Italian was an instant success when it was first launched and continues to be loved and used in homes across the globe, over 200 years after it was first designed. From tableware and serving pieces, to textiles and gifts, the Blue Italian collection features something for every blue & white admirer.

Our commitment to blue and white ceramics continues to thrive in the 21st century, drawing inspiration from our vast archives of historic designs. While iconic patterns like Blue Italian remain unchanged over their 200-year history, crafted from durable earthenware that is dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe, we have also explored fresh interpretations of the classic designs.

Contemporary ranges such as Brocato and Steccato take cues from our heritage while introducing new patterns and textures that are perfectly suited for today's lifestyles. By blending tradition with practicality, these designs ensure that authentic English blue and white pottery continues to be both beautiful and functional in today’s homes.

Inspired by the much-loved Blue Italian collection, Brocato offers a fresh take on the heritage design. Made to style alone or layer with Blue Italian for a beautiful mix-and-match tablescape, Brocato offers a pared-back alternative to the finely detailed design of Blue Italian.

Brocato features Blue Italian’s detailed Imari oriental border subtly re-imagined, but still in the iconic cobalt blue shade. The mesmerising design wraps around the curves of each piece in the collection, and is set against a clean, white background allowing the pattern to stand bold on your table.

Brocato is the perfect addition for adding a pop of blue to your setting. Give a gentle nod to your favourite shade with key pieces from the collection, such as dinner plates, side plates or rice bowls, or confidently layer with Blue Italian for maximalist style.

Steccato celebrates our love for blue and white and classic design. Continuing to follow in our founder’s footsteps, crafting ceramics with our renowned cobalt blue hue, we’ve blended craftsmanship with statement stripes to enhance our collection of blue and white designs.

Stripes in differing weights boldly adorn plates, bowls, and teaware so you can effortlessly embrace classic design to create an inviting tablescape full of personality. Made in the UK, just like Blue Italian and Brocato, the collection is playful, refined and unapologetically bold.

Steccato has been made to style alone, layering the different stripes for an on-trend setting, or in harmony with the flowing curves of Blue Italian and Brocato. The shapes of the plates across the collections are identical, allowing them to layer perfectly, with the contrasting designs coming together for a striking, yet beautifully balanced setting.