A superbly painted Chinese coffee can, with the crest for GILBERT.
Beautifully painted dragons chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom.
Small tight haircrack,  restoration to handle, well done.
Tiny regilded flake to rim.
 
9cm across including handle.
6.5cm tall.
 
Made for Commander Edmund Williams GIlbert (1787-1849)  Royal Navy.

Related to the Elizabethan explorer Sir Humphrey GIlbert as well as
Sir Walter Raleigh, he accompanied Nelson to the West Indies in 1805.
 
Rarely seen.
The coffee can shape was only popular during the
late 18th to  early 19th Century.