Dating spode marks

Are Spode pieces always marked?

Pieces were not always marked and sometimes just a pattern number appears and no Spode name at all. Painted marks are often in red and marks can also appear printed usually in blue or black, (although other colours were used) or impressed into the clay so appearing colourless.

How do I put a date on my Spode pieces?

Putting a date to your Spode pieces can be difficult. Here are some tips. Using the Spode archive and published books you can learn about the many different backstamps (marks) on Spode pieces. This though can only be a guide to a date - it is not an exact science and some backstamps were used for many, many years.

What are some examples of Spode and Copeland marks?

In fact, Pottery & Porcelain Marks by Chad Lage (now out of print), shows 31 examples of different Spode and Copeland marks dating from the mid-1700s through modern production. These include: The Spode Painted Backstamp, which is handwritten under the glaze, often in red, but can be found in other colors including black and blue, too.

How can I Date my Spode backstamps?

Learning about styles and shapes can also help date pieces, particularly on the older pieces from the early 1800s when many were not marked. Spode used hundreds of different styles of backstamps in its nearly 250 year history. There are few recorded dates for the introduction and use of any of the Spode backstamps.

What are Copeland Spode’s markings?

Marks on Copeland Spode are impressed, painted or transfer printed onto individual pieces. Some pieces also have a workman’s mark in addition to the company’s mark from the Spode factory that ran from 1780 to 1833.

Where can I see Spode pieces?

Spode pieces and rare pattern and design-books are on display in major museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and Winterthur. Today, on the market, vintage and antiques Spode pieces attract both new and seasoned collectors alike.

What are the different types of Spode?

There is traditional bone china, earthenware including pearlware with its distinctive blue glaze and creamware with its typically light beige tone. Spode also produces stoneware pieces including basalt and jasperware (like Wedgwood ). Registered Spode marks (and there are several different ones) date back to the early 1780s.

What is the most valuable Spode pattern?

Spode pieces adorned with the traditional blue/white under glaze transferware printing process are most desirable including the Willow pattern which was introduced in the 1790s and revived in the 1930s. Spode ceramics, like many valuable Staffordshire pottery pieces, are produced in a variety of body types, styles, patterns, and ceramic formulas.

What is a Spode backstamp?

Above is the image of a backstamp with the Spode name, the pattern number 967 and another small red cypher, which is a workmans mark. 1833 to 1847: the company was known as Copeland and Garrett. Marks appear with this name printed or impressed and often include ‘late Spode.

How can I Date my backstamps?

Learning about styles and shapes can also help date pieces, particularly on the older pieces from the early 1800s when many were not marked. Spode used hundreds of different styles of backstamps in its nearly 250 year history.

When did Copeland Spode backstamps come out?

Copeland Spode Backstamps 1847 to present. There have been over 300 recorded backstamps from about 1770 to the present and some representative marks are shown: 1847 - 1970 - WT Copeland: 1970 - Present – Spode. If “England” is on the mark then it was manufactured after 1890. Copeland Spode Backstamps 1847 to present.

How do I put a date on my Spode pieces?

Putting a date to your Spode pieces can be difficult. Here are some tips. Using the Spode archive and published books you can learn about the many different backstamps (marks) on Spode pieces. This though can only be a guide to a date - it is not an exact science and some backstamps were used for many, many years.