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Stone China

Stone china was more expensive than earthenware but less expensive than porcelain. It had characteristics of both. It was harder and more durable than earthenware and, although not generally translucent, it was fused like porcelain. Josiah Spode II was one of a number of potters who made stone china.

Developed by John and William Turner and patented in January 1800, the patent still had eight more years to run when they declared bankruptcy in 1806. Although some early authors report that Spode purchased the patent,  it is difficult to date any Spode examples earlier than 1813. More recent work argues that Spode's stone china did not go into production until after the patent expired.

 The grey-blue glaze and moderately glassy body of stone china provided a good base for imitating Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Asian designs inspired some early patterns, even Chinese-style seal marks could become back stamps. The designs were often transfer-printed in blue or printed in outline and painted with enamel colors.  Stone china was a popular choice for the fashionable table.  In 1816 Spode advertised advert stone china dinner sets at twenty to seventy guineas, depending on the pattern and the size of the service.  So popular were  Spode's  products that Queen Charlotte  visited the  Portugal Street showroom in 1817 and purchased a stone china service for herself.  

In about 1822 Spode introduced an adapted stone china recipe called “New Stone.”  This white ceramic heralded a move towards more occidental designs and continued in production after 1833 when the business was bought by Copeland and Garrett.

 

Turner
 Mug, painted mark "Turners Patent,"  1800-1805
© Victoria & Albert Museum London
 spode
Saucer with blue printed mark "SPODE Stone-China," about 1815
Private Collection 
V&A
Plate, painted mark "SPODE Stone China," replacement  in Chinese porcelain service.
© Victoria & Albert Museum London
chinese
Chinese porcelain armorial plate from service made about 1745
© Victoria & Albert Museum London
stone china
Spode, black printed stone china fretmark, red painted pattern number 3067
© Victoria & Albert Museum London
 
   
new stone
Impressed "SPODE NEW STONE" , painted pattern number 4074 
© Victoria & Albert Museum London
printed markimp mark