Pattern 3066 Spode bone china 'pair' of London shape Coffee Cups produced c1820. The border at the top rim which appears both inside & out was previously used by Spode on their pattern 2638 (illustrated) which was an Oriental 'Kakiemon' inspired design. The area decorated on each coffee cup is different, I wonder if Spode's quality control noticed this design mismatch?
This pattern has both printed & hand-painted flower ornamentation; the cobalt ground is richly gilded & the decoration covers both the exterior & interior surfaces. The gilt 'saw-tooth' border is more unusual for Spode pieces & the date of introduction for this decoration at Spode is around 1818 as far as I can establish although other English manufacturers were using this design before this date.
Pattern 3066 seems to have had everything thrown into its design & no expense was spared on its gilding but the finished article ends up rather 'clobbered' & lacking finesse. This is definitely a Spode 'candlelight' pattern.
Not only is the decoration different but so is the actual size of the cups!
The gilding on one of the handles is a little worn, but they are an interesting 'odd couple' that so obviously belong together.
Here you can see the variation in size & the interior decoration.
Both Spode London shape Coffee Cups have the blue printed 'SPODE' backstamp & one cup also has the pattern number '3066' hand painted in red enamel to its base.
Here is a matching pattern 3066 Spode bone china London shape Tea Cup with a very inventive 'make-do-and-mend' repair to its handle. This treasured cup was given a new lease of life by a skilled craftsman who carefully drilled holes into the bone china & fitted two purpose-made metal pins to hold the handle in place. Undoubtedly, neither the original cup nor the repair were cheap.
You can see the rounded metal pin heads inside.
It is sitting with another lovely but less than perfect Spode tea cup. The decoration on this other piece is in good condition but sadly it has sustained a chip & crack at some point during its past.
Both pattern 3066 Spode bone china London shape Tea Cups have the blue printed 'SPODE' backstamp & the pattern number hand painted in red enamel. By 1820 Spode ceramics are consistently well marked to their bases.