In the Collection of the Author.
VIII
SPODE AND HIS SUCCESSORS
The chain of potters is complete from the day on which Josiah Spode was apprenticed to Whieldon in 1749. The entry in the old account book runs: “1749, April 9th. Hired Siah Spode, to give him from this time to Martelmas next 2s. 3d., or 2s. 6d. if he deserves it, 2nd year 2s. 9d., 3rd year 3s. 3d.” The successors to Spode, Messrs. Copeland, have done much to develop the manufacture of English porcelain in the nineteenth century, and at the present day they are producing china of the highest excellence.
The first Josiah Spode established a factory at Stoke-upon-Trent about 1770. Some of his earliest productions bear the name “Spode” impressed in the paste. Those of my readers who have blue willow-pattern plates with this mark upon them are the possessors of some of the first plates of that pattern made. About 1780 the willow pattern was introduced by Turner at Caughley, and very shortly afterwards, in 1784, Josiah Spode was turning out at Stoke his blue printed plates. Some of his china is printed in black, and pieces of this black printing are much sought after by collectors, but they must bear the word “Spode” impressed on them.
OLD SPODE PASTILLE-BURNER.
(Red body with black ornaments in relief.)
At Victoria and Albert Museum.
The vase which we reproduce from the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum is a pastille-burner having perforated cover; it is mounted on tripod stand formed by three dolphins on triangular base; it is red in colour and ornamented in black in relief. It has the impressed mark “Spode,” and is earthenware, but we give it here on account of its fine form.