Spode was founded by Josiah Spode (1733–1797) in 1770, and was responsible for perfecting two important techniques that were crucial to the worldwide success of the English pottery industry in the 19th century: transfer printing on earthenware and bone china.

Spode's formula for bone china produced a porcelain that was white, very translucent, and stable in the traditional Staffordshire firing process. Bone china, unlike true Chinese porcelain, used a sequence of biscuit then glost schedules and firing technologies similar to those of earthenware.

Shop Spode for fine bone china and porcelain tableware, cookware, gifts and more. Direct from Spode UK. Fast Free delivery on all orders.

English Bone China was invented at Spode and the Spode formula was eventually used and adapted by all other English factories. Josiah Spode I perfected underglaze transfer printing on earthenwares and produced numerous series of blue printed dinner and other services of spectacular quality.

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Spode's Bone China. True porcelain is made from china clay and china stone; it seems likely that Josiah Spode I was experimenting with bone ash as an added ingredient before his sudden death in 1797. On Josiah II’s return to the Staffordshire pottery he continued his father’s work and by 1800 he was marketing Spode's bone china.

Early examples of Spode’s bone china may carry the impressed mark “Stoke China,” identifying it definitively as Staffordshire porcelain. The formula Spode II used with such success was based on 25% each of china clay and china stone with 50% calcined bone.

Bone china: the world famous ceramic body invented at Spode in Stoke in the UK. Facts about Spode bone china, giving details of its date of production, products, alternative names. Spode's bone china recipe became the industry standard for over 200 years.

Jan 30, 2025 · Spode also pioneered the development of a new porcelain formula which later became known as bone china because of its high ox-bone content. His formula, which was kept secret for a time, eventually became the standard formula for English bone china.

A lot of well-known pottery and china came from England, and Spode is no exception. Known for its introduction of bone china to the industry, Spode is a highly recognizable household name when it comes to antiques. Read below to learn all about it!