Spode Portmeirion Group's factory in Stoke-on-Trent. Spode's "Christmas Tree" is a popular pattern of Christmas china collected by people around the world. Though Spode began making china in the late 1700s, it wasn't until the 1930s that the Christmas pattern was created. The collection started with only a plate, but now includes place settings, serving dishes and even flatware. Spode Spode is an English brand of pottery and homewares produced by the company of the same name, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Spode was founded by Josiah Spode (1733–1797) in 1770, and was responsible for perfecting two extremely important techniques
Art of the United Kingdom British decorative arts. Around the mid-century many porcelain factories opened, including Bow in London, and in the provinces Lowestoft, Worcester, Royal Crown Derby, Liverpool, and Wedgwood, with Spode following in 1767. Most were started as small concerns, with some lasting only a few decades while others still survive today. By the end of the period British porcelain services were being commissioned by foreign royalty and the British manufacturers were especially adept at pursuing the rapidly expanding international middle-class market, developing bone china and transfer-printed wares as well as hand-painted true porcelain. The three leading furniture makers, Thomas Chippendale (1718–1779), Thomas