A Spode Porcelain Pot Pourri decorated in patttern 1166 c.1820

A Spode Porcelain Pot Pourri c.1820. The globular bowl supported on three gilt dolphins, triangular base, richly decorated with pattern 1166 of flowers on a blue ground gilded with scales, surrounded by smaller sprigs and mons. Marked Spode pattern 1166 in red. One of the most sumptuous designs produced by Spode.  Pattern 1166 was first recorded in about 1808.  The pattern is ground layed in cobalt blue, hand painted and gilded on Spode's pure white bone china. It is gilded and painted entirely by hand. The combination of cobalt blue and gold is one of the most expensive in ceramic decoration as it is produced with 2 of the most expensive raw materials. This extravagance, coupled with these gorgeous flowers, makes this design one of the most magnificent to come out of the Spode factory. 

Condition: Some minor wear to the decoration and the gilding. Lid missing.