Pattern 2693 Spode bone china London shape Coffee Cup & Saucer introduced by Spode c1817. This is another Japanese Imari influenced design/copy decorated in the traditional Imari colour palette of under glaze cobalt blue, iron red & rich gilding. I particularly love the bird on the swing.
This particular saucer is showing some wear to the gilding but never mind I will just have to keep my eye out for another one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, as the saying goes.
Although that may mean a bit of waiting because this Spode pattern 2693 was produced c1817 just as the fashion for the Imari look on English ceramics was starting to wane.
I won't tell a dickie bird that this is not fashionable any longer, would you?.
Hand painting inside a cup which only measures 2 & 7/8th inches or 7.25 cms in diameter at its widest point was a real skill. Did one of your family ancestors learn this art?
Both pieces are clearly marked in red enamel to their bases with 'SPODE' & '2693'.
Josiah Spode II knew how to promote his business interests & together with producing good quality items, in desirably fashionable taste, at competitive prices he was able to stay successfully trading in business for 30 years from 1797 until the day he died in 1827; in the pottery industry of his era this was a major feat particularly as trade had been disrupted by wars with France & America during at least 12 of those years.