Stoneware

Black Basalt

John and Thomas Wedgwood, uncles of the more famous Josiah, first produced the fine-grained black stoneware called basalt in the 1750s.  From the 1770s, an interest in the arts of antiquity prompted Staffordshire potters  to take inspiration from the pottery of classical Greece and Rome.  New styles of decoration included precisely turned fluting and applied designs of classical figures.  A stylish product, basalt remained in popular into the
19th century. Spode was one of its many makers.

Cane Ware

Staffordshire potters produced stoneware  from local yellow clays that fired to a range of shades--from buff to a pale yellow-brown--that resembled cane or bamboo.  Introduced in the 1770s, potters took advantage of its color and finish, decorating it with classical themes. Potters could leave exteriors unglazed, but occasionally painted them with enamel colors. Along with other potters, Spode made a range or decorative tea and ornamental wares to supply his fashioable customers.

Jasper

Named for the hard mineral, Jasper is a very glassy, very dense stoneware  - almost, but not quite, porcelain.  After  hundreds of experiments, Josiah Wedgwood  perfected jasper for production of plaques and medallions in about 1774, with larger vases and decorative items possible after about 1780.  Other potters, including Spode, were soon making similar wares . Jasper's popularity and production continue into the 21st century.

Smear-glazed Stoneware

In the early 19th century potters devised a new glazing technique. By coating stoneware with a "smear" of glaze so thin it did not obscure surface decoration, they were able to produce wares with ornate relief designs that remained sharp while reflecting a soft, attractive sheen. Neo-classical ornament remained a popular style, but producers supplemented it with a range of English hunting scenes.  Spode was one of the foremost manufacturers.