This is a stunning tea service made by Spode in about 1810, consisting of a large teapot with cover, a milk jug, a sucrier with cover, a slop bowl, a saucer dish and 4 teacups with saucers. The set is decorated with the famous Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967, which was first introduced by Spode in 1806.
I have several more teacups from the same service available so the service could be extended, please see separate listings or ask us.
Josiah Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by everyone ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the import of Chinese china that had come to an end around that time, with their own. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware.
This wonderful Japanese-inspired Imari pattern of tobacco leaves, fences and other details, is pattern number 967, one of Spode's most famous Imari patterns. All items are potted in Spode's very white and fine porcelain and shaped in the bute shape, which was used until about 1812.
CONDITION REPORT The teapot has two cracks but we tried it and it doesn't leak when used; it also has a minor chip on the inner rim. The handle of the milk jug has a crude but charming and effective 19thC repair but is entirely stable. The inside of the sucrier is crazed and discoloured, but again entirely fine for use. Other than this, the set is beautifully bright and without further damage or repairs, and all items including the teapot are suitable for use.
Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal, and this meant that china from that period can have some firing specks from flying particles. British makers were also known for their experimentation, and sometimes this resulted in technically imperfect results. Due to the shrinkage in the kiln, items can have small firing lines or develop crazing over time, which should not be seen as damage but as an imperfection of the maker's recipes, probably unknown at the time of making. Items have often been used for many years and can have normal signs of wear, and gilt can have signs of slight disintegration even if never handled. I will reflect any damage, repairs, obvious stress marks, crazing or heavy wear in the item description but some minor scratches, nicks, stains and gilt disintegration can be normal for vintage items and need to be taken into account.
There is widespread confusion on the internet about the difference between chips and nicks, or hairlines and cracks. I will reflect any damage as truthfully as I can, i.e. a nick is a tiny bit of damage smaller than 1mm and a chip is something you can easily see with the eye; a glazing line is a break in the glazing only; hairline is extremely tight and/or superficial and not picked up by the finger; and a crack is obvious both to the eye and the finger. Etcetera - I try to be as accurate as I can and please feel free to ask questions or request more detailed pictures!
DIMENSIONS teacups 8.1cm (3.25") diameter; teapot 26cm (10.25") between handle and spout, and 16cm (6.25") tall incl. stand and finial.
Spode tea service, Imari Tobacco Leaf pattern 967, ca 1810
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We always aim to have happy customers so if you have an issue with or questions about your item, please contact us and we will do anything we can to resolve the issue with you!
