Pattern 1409 Spode bone china Bute shape Coffee Can decorated in another traditional Japanese Imari design introduced c1809. This was a very popular pattern which Coalport also produced, however you can always tell them apart by the shape of the reserve in which the bird sits. Spode's is narrow at the base whereas Coalport's was much wider.
In the early years of the 1800's Coalport's cans also have a kinked handle & sometimes a gilding pattern down the handle like Spode's but their handle kinks are looser & the gilding pattern didn't usually have the tiny spots down the centre of the pattern like Spode's (although to confuse matters they did sometimes).
I have come across an interesting piece of porcelain which was decorated in the Coalport version of this pattern & was marked 'SPODE' in red enamel on its base. In this case it was probably a replacement piece made by Josiah Spode II for a Coalport Service.
A solidly gilt & kinked Spode handle
This design was probably copied by both Spode & Coalport from a Japanese Export porcelain piece. It uses the main traditional Imari colours of iron-red & cobalt blue enamel together with rich gilding. It would have looked sensational in candlelight & that is exactly what these patterns have become known as, 'candlelight patterns' or 'Japans'. They are all hand-painted together with lavish gilt work, what more could someone want?
Are these cherry blossom flowers?
Inside there is quite a large speck of kiln dust - but it was still considered more than good enough to decorate, in what would have been an expensive pattern. I love these little quirks, each piece is unique and has its own 'fingerprint'.
No pattern number or worker's marks on this can but the main pieces of a Tea Service would have had their pattern number on their bases at this date.
Pattern 1409 Spode New Oval shape bone china Creamer c1809 in lovely condition
Even the little birds have their own characters
Only very slight wear the the gilding at the top of the handle
The cobalt blue enamel has bled a little
Almost clean inside
This pattern dates to c1809 and this piece is still marked to its base using gilt rather than red enamel which is quite late for this type of marking