Pattern 555 Spode Bone China Bute shape Tea Cup. This pretty & patriotic pattern includes the Prince of Wales three feathers hand-painted in puce in one of the rectangles together with a surprisingly modern spotted orange ground, flowers in blue, red & green & together with rich gilding. It was introduced by Josiah Spode II c1803. This was the year in which the Napoleonic Wars commenced.
The usual Spode handle
The usual odd spots of blue cobalt on the inside of the cup
The usual speck of kiln dust at the bottom of the interior
The usual unmarked base. This Spode tea cup is very special as 'usual'. I love these little quirks, each piece is unique and has its own 'fingerprint' (sometimes quite literally).