Shelley Teacup Collection, including floral, chintz and countryside patterns…
I LOVE pretty china! Don’t you? This week, I enjoyed a delightful tea party with my friend, Jo Tucker, who collects china tea cups. Among her collection, she has five gorgeous Shelley china teacups and saucers. It is exquisite china!
Jo is holding a beautiful Shelley teacup and saucer, circa 1945-1966, in the Oleander shape and chintz Primrose pattern.
Shelley China is one of those trade names that has a very large and devoted following of collectors as their pieces are quite unique. Between 1910 and around 1940, Shelley bone china’s production was at its height, both in quality and quantity from their factory in Staffordshire, England. Even though the pieces are very thin and translucent, they are also very strong because their bone china formula had the largest percentage of ground bone of any china manufacturer ever. Also, you will never run out of options as there were over 15,000 patterns!
“Although Shelley did produce a full line of pieces for dinnerware sets, most production was limited to breakfast, fruit, dessert, and “tea for two” sets. Unknown to many Shelly collectors, the company also produced full lines of art ware including vases, pots, jugs and covered jars. The art ware is quite rare.
The registered Shelley name and backstamp were not introduced until 1910, but the factory existed prior to this as the Foley China Works. In fact, many early Shelley pieces up until around 1916, were marked “Late Foley” in addition to “Shelley”. The Foley Pottery’s history can be traced back to the mid nineteenth century.
The Shelley factory closed its doors in 1966. It wasn’t until the late 1970s or early 1980s that Shelley china started to become so collectible. Today, collectors can still expect to find pieces, but interest and prices in these beautiful wares have increased steadily over the years.” [from The Shelley Style A Collector's Guide. Susan Hill. Jazz Publications Limited, 1990. Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, England.]
Jo’s daughter, whose name happens to be Shelie, is also a long time collector and has acquired a complete set of the Shelley china in the “Dainty Blue” pattern! Dainty Blue is a lovely set with dainty shape and the blue floral pattern. The shape not only lives up to it’s name but the pattern couldn’t be more delicate and yes…dainty.
Shelley China is only one name among a sea of china producers but it is a great place to start ‘chatting’ about china. And if you want to read more on the topic, this UK Shelley Club offers great resources.
Grandma’s Treasures Online does not list any Shelley China…yet, but we do have this lovely teacup and saucer by Royal Albert in Tanya’s Collection and we have several pretty china items from various makers including Wedgwood, Noritake and Narumi to name a few. Check them out!
What kind of china do you collect? Do you own any Shelley China? Comment below!
NOTE: Jo also has several pieces of Theodore Haviland china manufactured in Limoges, France in 1905. The story of Haviland china is absolutely intriguing. Another article, another day. 