Pattern 944 Spode bone china Bute shape Coffee Can introduced c1806. This design is pretty much a direct copy of a Chinese or Japanese Imari piece probably exported to the UK via China & the East India Trading Company in the preceding years of the 18th century. All decoration is applied by hand.
The design incorporates exotic flowers & uses the traditional Imari palate of enamels, iron-red & cobalt blue with lots of gilding. This design would have taken a great deal of time & care to decorate.
A strange Oriental mythical beast
It would be a pleasure to drink coffee from this can after a candlelight dinner
Tiny specks of stray enamel
The pattern number '944' can just be seen in gilt & there is a decorator's mark in iron-red enamel. From c1806 & securing Royal patronage Josiah Spode II was more inclined to mark his wares. Gilt marking pre-dates iron red enamel marking.