Cairo

Pitcher, 6.5 inches tall. Red transfer. Maker is W. T. Copeland & Sons. The "Cairo" pattern (no. 2/1796) was introduced in 1881. The border, known as "Arabesque," is seen on all the patterns in this series. Here the central image consists of two large pear-shaped fans. The scene on the front fan is a waterfront with ships at the dock and buildings with minarets behind. The scene on the back fan is of an egret in flight. Both fans are superimposed over a branch of prunus blossoms.

W. T. Copeland was the only son of William Copeland, partner of Josiah Spode in the Stoke Potteries, of Staffordshire and of Portugal Street, London. He succeeded his father as head of the porcelain firm in Portugal Street, London and eventually bought out the interests of the Spode family in the business in the Potteries and London. He ran the business in partnership with Thomas Garrett between 1833 and 1847. After the dissolution of the Copeland and Garrett partnership, it traded as W.T. Copeland and Sons. (1847-1976). In 1866 Copeland was appointed china and glass manufacturer to the Prince of Wales.