“If a boy had to face the world penniless and fatherless in the 1740s there were worse places than the Potteries, where a great industry was taking shape."
Leonard Whiter, Spode Executive and author of Spode: A History of the Family, Factory and Wares from 1733 to 1833, writing on Josiah Spode I, founder of Spode
The Birth of the Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, 18th Century
Pottery put Stoke-on-Trent, England on the map. A city built on a base of clay, water, and coal – the perfect ingredients for the production of ceramics.
During the 18th century, the rapid growth of tea as a favored beverage was an unexpected social and economic phenomenon, which matched the efforts of Staffordshire Potters at the time. It was down to revolutionaries such as Josiah Spode I, that innovative strides in ceramic manufacturing were made.
It was within this spirit of innovation that Josiah Spode I advanced the technique of underglaze transfer printing on earthenware, a development that would prove transformative for British ceramics. By transferring finely engraved designs from copper plates onto tissue and then onto the unfired surface of the pottery, Spode was able to achieve remarkable clarity and consistency in decoration. The piece was then glazed and fired, sealing the design beneath a protective, glassy surface. This method not only enhanced the durability of the decoration, but also allowed intricate blue-and-white patterns to be reproduced efficiently and at scale.
In refining this process, Spode elevated everyday earthenware into something both practical and beautifully detailed, shaping a style that would become synonymous with Staffordshire pottery.
Stoke's Ceramics Go Global in the 19th Century
Stoke-on-Trent quickly became a thriving factory-based industry, supplying English pottery to the world. By the end of the 19th century, more than 200 factories were operating in Stoke, with the abundance of coal, clay and water in the area proving fortunate.
Blue-and-white designs flowed from Spode's factory as demand grew both at home and abroad. Customer's visiting Spode's London showroom would request tableware featuring scenes they had admired, and these ideas were swiftly sent back to Staffordshire to be skilfully reproduced using the underglaze transfer printing tencnique pioneered by the brand.
After Josiah Spode I's death in 1797, his son Josiah Spode II built upon his legacy to create what would become one of the most celebrated patterns in history: Blue Italian. Reflecting the era's facination with travel and European landscapes, Josiah II combined an idyllic Italianate scene with a traditional chinoiserie-inspired border - a design that perfectly captured the tastes of the time and marked the beginning of a global success story.
Christmas Tree is Born, 20th Century
By the close of the 19th century, Spode had firmly established itself as one of Britain’s most respected ceramic manufacturers. Building on a legacy of technical innovation and enduring design, Spode entered a new century with strong foundations, combining heritage craftsmanship with an ability to respond to changing tastes and emerging markets overseas.
It was this adaptability that led to the creation of one of Spode’s most iconic designs in 1938: Christmas Tree. Designed with the growing American market in mind, the pattern captured the warmth and nostalgia of the festive season with its richly decorated evergreen tree and colorful ornaments. At a time when holiday traditions were becoming ever more central to family life, Christmas Tree struck a chord and quickly became a seasonal staple. Decades on, it remains one of the world’s most recognizable and collected festive tableware patterns, continuing Spode’s story of innovation and global appeal.
Spode in the 21st Century
Today, Spode continues to celebrate its Stoke-on-Trent heritage while adapting to modern tastes and lifestyles. we continue to nurture the legacy Josiah Spode and his fellow master potters left us, producing both classic patterns like Blue Italian and Christmas Tree alongside new designs that appeal to contemporary collectors and homeware enthusiasts. By combining traditional techniquesm with modern production standards, Spode keeps the spirit of the Potteries alive, ensuring that the artistry and innovation pioneered in Staffordshire more than two centuries ago remain a vibrant part of homes around the world.