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
Spode by Spode's successors, William Taylor Copeland, and then "W.T. Copeland & Sons, late Spode". Messrs Spode were succeeded in the same business in c. 1833 by Copeland and Garrett, who often used the name Spode in their marks. In particular these are called 'Late Spode' and include productions of the so-called 'Felspar porcelain'. They also produced other kinds of bone china, earthenware, parian, etc. The partnership continued in this form until 1847. After 1847 the business continued until 1970 as W.T. Copeland and sons, and again the term 'Spode' or 'Late Spode' continued in use alongside the name of Copeland.