My Spode Abode

Spode

That pitcher there, with quaint device,
Upon the shelf, a curious bit,
I know it is a thing of price
Because I paid for it.

She calls it Spode, my loving wife;
Just what that means I cannot say;
It is a joy that lights her life;
She dusts it every day.

Like a devoted worshiper
She speaks of it in tender tones;
It is a precious boon to her,
I feel this in my bones.

'Twould be from it a pain to part;
Without it what were this abode?
I often wish with all my heart
My middle name were SPODE!

~Clinton Scollard from the New York American

Although John Sadler and Guy Green of Liverpool invented the transferware process in the mid 18th century it is, without question, Josiah Spode whose name is perpetuated in the development and perfection of underglaze printing on earthenware. In large part, Josiah Spode's advances in underglazed blue printing and the production of bone china, which rivaled that of the finest wares brought over from the Orient, are what greatly contributed to the establishment of England as the worlds foremost producer of fine dinnerware.  

The Spode brand is practically a household name.  Even those not interested in china or dinnerware know the Spode name.  Spode is to dinnerware what Porsche is to cars.

There is so much history to cover in the Spode, Spode-Copeland  wares that it will be an ongoing topic of posts on my blog.

I'm going to let you all browse around to see some of my Spode pieces I have at home.

A large, 20",  1880's platter depicting grazing cattle and a rural farm sits beside a polychrome transferware lamp at the kitchen planning desk.

 A circa 1862-80 fluted dish in blue stands on a bookcase in our upstairs tv room

 An early Spode plate with an Aesthetic pattern and polychrome accents on green transfer ware.

I'm drawn to many of the patterns that Spode produced.   One of, if not my all time favorite patterns was produced by Spode and is called Byron.  I've featured this pattern in the past HERE with some history about the artist, J C Horsley.

Here, a thin area of wall between the kitchen cupboards and the nook offer just enough space to display some of my favorite Byron pieces:

This huge platter is the piece I first saw in this pattern...I was hooked:

Mixed pieces, including Spode, on the hutch in the breakfast room

Spode Mayflower is the backdrop for a decorated perfume bottle in the Master Bath

A huge 1830's Spode platter hangs above a mirror in the bedroom

This Spode plate serves as a tray which displays vintage beaded gloves and an embroidered, beaded antique purse.

I use lots of transferware on my desk to hold office supplies.  This Circa 1880 toothbrush (left) holder contains some white roses (which hide my favorite pens)

In the powder bath I have a few Spode pieces. 

One of my favorites is this razor box, circa 1850 (front)

Antique Spode plates (top and bottom) in the powder bath:

 A grouping of plates and platters frame a Baroque portrait in the powder bath (Spode bottom and bottom right)

And soap dish with a drainer insert sits on the back of the toilet.

A French bombe' chest holds tea service in Spode Bryon (Post is HERE)

Spode Royal Jasmine Marina Table Setting

I have some of my favorite, two color transfer pieces displayed in the den.  All of the rusty red and black pieces are Spode Morocco, Beverley and May.

I display a grouping of red transfer ware plates and platters on my dining room wall.  The center three are all Spode.  I like the unusual shapes of these Aesthetic Movement pieces.

In my office I have two tables on either side of a sofa.  I dipslay Spode meat drainers on each with a collection of dog figurines.

I could post many more Spode pictures...but I won't...not now anyway.

Three or More Tuesday at The Gyps's Corner
A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Hodge Podge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World at
Ruby Tuesday at Work of the Poet
It's so Very Cheri for Spotlight Yourslef
Suzanne at Colordolady for Vintage Thingie Thursday
Melissa at My Cottage Charm for Treasures and Trinkets Thursdays
Jessica at A Few of My Favorite Things for Favorite Things Friday
Funky Junk Interiors