Compote, 8.5 x 4.1 inches. Hand-painted in black. Impressed maker's mark for W. T. Copeland & Son. The artist's signature on the foot accompanies the date Oct "77. This pattern features a group of unusual birds perched on a barren tree in the midst of water. A grouping of letters, shapes, and symbols appears at the bottom right.

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.