Pattern 2522 Spode bone china Bute shape Tea Cup decorated in what appears to be a stylised Japanese Chrysanthemum flower design in which the centre contains a symbol of the sun. This pattern was introduced by Spode c1816. The origins of this design are probably Japanese Imari.
The Chrysanthemum represents many things in Japanese culture including, longevity & rejuvenation, the autumn sun & perfection through the orderly unfurling of its petals. The Imperial Seal of Japan is a stylised Chrysanthemum motif.
The cobalt blue ground decorated with lots of mini suns is stunning
The shape of this Spode Tea Cup was quickly going out of fashion even at the time it was made in 1816. Spode had introduced his London shape Tea & Coffee Cups in 1813 and they proved to be exceptionally popular, so much so that by 1818 very few tea cups or cans were produced in the old 'Bute' shape, as most customers wanted the new shape.
Personally I much prefer the simple classic design of the Bute shape but Josiah Spode II was a consummate salesman & once most customers had a Bute shape service so London shape was introduced. Sales were busy again & Josiah Spode II repeats this neat trick again & again with his New Dresden shape, Etruscan shape, Bell shape, Gadroon shape and lastly his Pembroke shape in 1827.
Up to around 1817 Josiah Spode II had been careful to keep his cup handle design instantly recognisable as Spode's in much the same way as company logos act now, this was Spode's brand motif but even this was swept away by the rather ridiculous & elaborate new handle shapes that appeared between 1817 and 1827.
I'm afraid I lose interest in Spode's cups at this point.
Still one or two marks inside the cup
This cup is marked to its base with both 'Spode' & its pattern number '2522' in iron red enamel c1816.