Pattern 1166 Spode bone china Violet Pot Pourri Basket. This design takes the scallop shell gilding ground layer as seen in Spode's pattern 882 previously but this time it is placed on a cobalt blue ground so it stands out more. Over this blue & gilt ground sit hand-painted flower groups of convolvulus, roses & other flowers. It is a very lavish design which was immensely popular & was reproduced consistently for many years after its date of introduction.
Here I can see tulips, ranunculus or chrysanthemums, opium poppies, convolvulus & hellebores. You would struggle to see all these flowers together at their peak in a garden.
A pretty little pot pourri basket, but watch out if you ever hold one, the lids can easily slip out of your fingers and I have seen numerous baskets & lids with broken/reattached handles.
The lid balances on these four small ledges which is fine while it is just sitting around looking pretty but beware if ever moving it!
This basket is marked to its base in black enamel with the name 'SPODE' and its pattern number '1166'. These pot pourri baskets were produced in different sizes and a pair of large 7 inch or 17.8 cms baskets were sold at Sotheby's New York 24-25th Sept 2012 Lot 586 for $2188. They had previously been owned by Brooke Astor. See this link for details: