This is a fine example of an English George III period, SPODE porcelain, Tea Cup, hand painted in pattern 963 and dating from the early 19th century, circa 1810.
This tea cup has the "Bute" shape with the spode loop handle having a pronounced kick or kink to the lower part, with a lower attachment that curves out from the cup. Spode is the only factory with a handle of this exact shape.
It is beautifully hand decorated in Spode's intricate detailed Japan Imari pattern number 963, with fences, flowers, leaves, motifs and two small birds in green and yellow. This cup has superb rich enamelling with much hand gilding in gold, including gold to all the outer handle. 
Heavily gilded porcelain of this period were called "candlelight wares" because of the brilliance of there gilding.
The can is marked to the base with the pattern number "963" hand written in gold.
This piece shows very little signs of any wear which is remarkable for a cup over 200 years old.
 
DIMENSIONS
Depth
3.25 in
Width
4 in
Height
2.36 in