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Spode Blue Italian

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description Spode Blue Italian Overview

Spode's Blue Italian is a transfer-printed earthenware pattern introduced by the English pottery company Spode around 1816. The design features a central scene of Italian ruins and landscapes, framed by a border pattern known as the "Chinese Temple" or Imari border. It is one of the longest continuously produced china patterns in the history of English pottery.

help Spode Blue Italian FAQ

When was the Spode Blue Italian pattern first introduced?

The Spode Blue Italian pattern was introduced around 1816 by the English pottery company Spode. It remains one of the most popular and continuously produced transfer-printed earthenware patterns in history.

What does the design of Spode Blue Italian actually depict?

The design features a central scene depicting Italian ruins and landscapes, which was heavily inspired by 17th-century Italian engravings. This central image is framed by a distinct border pattern known as the "Chinese Temple" or Imari border.

What manufacturing technique is used to create Spode Blue Italian?

Spode Blue Italian is created using the transfer-printing process, which was a major innovation in the early 19th century. A copper plate is engraved with the design, inked, and then pressed onto tissue paper, which is subsequently rubbed onto the earthenware piece before firing.

Who owns the Spode brand and the Blue Italian pattern today?

The Spode brand and its historic patterns are currently owned by Portmeirion Group, which acquired the company in 2009. They continue to manufacture the classic Blue Italian line in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

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