Pattern 1803 Spode bone china ornithological Coffee Can with a broad band of cobalt blue & central oval reserve with gilt surround composed of semi-circles & triangles & depicting a hand-painted Water Ouzel bird in its natural landscape. The top rim is gilded in the 'French Edge' or 'Dontil Edge' manner. This design was introduced at Spode c1812 & always sits this way round in my home.
The gilding looks rich against the cobalt blue ground. Coalport had produced a very similar looking service with this blue & gilt decoration with animals as the subject prior to this date so I think Spode copied this design from them. You can see a c1805 Coalport Dessert Tureen with cover & stand in this service which was sold by Bonham's in 2011 here: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19108/lot/151/
Several small smudges of cobalt blue enamel have found their way in to where they shouldn't be. Spode used this gilding pattern over a cobalt blue ground yet again in their pattern 2814 (illustrated) c1818.
A rash of blue spots inside as well. This messy little Spode Coffee Can still has charm regardless of the stray cobalt spots.
This coffee can is marked to its base in black enamel with 'SPODE', its pattern number '1803' & the type of bird (spelt incorrectly).