The Jewel shape design originates from the 1850s when a sumptuous dessert service was made - possibly to the order of Queen Victoria - to the design of W H Goss, the Art Director at Copeland’s (Spode) at the time. In this original service, each of the embossed rings on the border was fitted with a mirror-backed glass gem simulating rubies, emeralds and topaz. The service was for presentation in 1857 but a mystery exists concerning the original set - for what occasion was it ordered?

The range of tableware items known as Jewel shape was modelled in the 1920s based on the design of the dessert plate, moulds of which survived at the Spode factory. Knowledge of the magnificent dessert service mentioned above does not seem to have been known at the time for the shape was attributed to a painting of a halo around a saint in a medieval painting. But the name Jewel must have been on the mould. The shape was registered at the London Patent Office as No. 70392 in 1924. It was patented in the United States on 15 June 1926. The tableware range was determined by the needs of the North American market.

The range was withdrawn in 1989 but has made several reappearances. The most popular pattern on the shape is Billingsley Rose. Details of some of the patterns on the shape are below:

• Jewel Imperial undecorated ivory earthenware proved very popular.
• Billingsley Rose with pattern number 2/8867 first recorded in about 1930
• Yellow Rose with pattern number 2/9673 first recorded in about 1932
• Claudia with pattern number 2/8949 first recorded in about 1930
• Heath and Rose with pattern number S117 first recorded in about 1933
• Ann Hathaway with pattern number O1010 first recorded in about 1935
• Old Concord with pattern number S1501 first recorded in about 1937
• Rose Anne with pattern number S3268 first recorded in about 1957

See page 167 Spode & Copeland Marks and Other Relevant Intelligence by Robert Copeland for a full account of the special dessert service