Josiah Spode
From Free net encyclopedia
Josiah Spode (23 March 1733 – 1797) was an English potter born in a village that is now part of Stoke-on-Trent. He earned renown in the pottery business for perfecting the blue underglaze printing process in 1784 and developing the formula for fine bone china, also known as porcelain.
Spode was a former apprentice of potter Thomas Whieldon, but left when Whieldon took in Josiah Wedgwood as a business partner.
Spode opened a factory in Stoke-on-Trent in 1767. In 1776, he became owner of the current Spode factory, still in operation today. His business in creamware (a fine cream-coloured earthenware) and in pearlware (a fine white-glazed earthenware) was very successful.
Josiah Spode had a son, Josiah Spode II, who carried on the business.
The Spode Society
The Spode Society was founded in 1986 for collectors and afficendios of Spode to learn more about the Spode and Copeland families and the production of Spode wares.
References
- Josiah Spode biography, from the Spode Museum.
External links
- Spode website