Pattern 742 Spode bone china Bute shape Coffee Can hand decorated with a gilt 'Greek Key' design on a cobalt blue border introduced by Josiah Spode II c1804. By 1805 Spode bone china porcelain must have been proving very popular because Josiah decides to expand the manufacturing business & to employ more decorators.
Josiah Spode II consistently used this distinctive gilt pattern down the handle of his cups, cans, creamers & teapots. Notice the odd stray spots of kiln grit & cobalt.
I have always thought that it would be difficult to produce this pattern, I'm sure if I tried it, the Greek Key wouldn't be straight.
A few tiny specks in the bone china but not bad for 200+ years & considering it was some of the earliest Bone China porcelain to be made in the UK.
Nice and clean inside this Spode Coffee Can
This Spode Coffee Can has its pattern number '742' written in red enamel on its base & an old collector's label for the Andrews Collection. Initially cups & cans were not marked and this piece was probably made a few years later than the date of introduction for this pattern. In 1806 Josiah Spode II gained a Royal Warrant as porcelain manufacturer to the Prince of Wales, later to become King George IV and following this accolade he was much more inclined to mark his wares.