All About Shelley China!

[Ellene Meece]

I love dainty Shelley China cups and saucers! There is nothing like a tea party using Shelley China.

Their story of how they came to be is quite intriguing...

"The Shelley story begins about 1860 when the Wileman family, owners of the Foley works, a large pottery between Longton and Fenton in Staffordshire, England, built a second pottery for the purpose of producing fine china.  Two years later Joseph B. Shelley, left his position at the Dresden works and joined Henry Wileman and his sons as a mere traveler or salesperson.  In 1864, Henry Wileman died and his two sons Charles and James split the two works with James running the earthenware works and Charles the china works.  In 1870 Charles retired, and James took over both enterprises.  He made Joseph Shelley his partner and the firm became known as Wileman & Company.  Eventually James returned to running the earthenware works, and Joseph Shelley took charge of the china production..."

READ MORE from the Shelley China Club

Why collect Shelley China?

• They are the best of the English potteries that produced bone china.

  "Shelley China is the finest expression of the Potter's Art. Its pure white translucent glaze, and lovely colourings make it pre-eminent amongst the productions of the World's greatest Pottery centre, The Staffordshire Potteries."

  -- Percy Norman Shelley

• They are all beautiful works of art, yet they are meant to be used and enjoyed.

• They had the best and most thorough quality control so that the china patterns matched and pieces would be extraordinarily durable.

• The original pattern books, which tied pattern numbers to the artwork from which all Shelley and Wileman pieces were decorated, still exist and may be available to facilitate research.

• There are three large worldwide Shelley clubs with experts and helpful people to assist with identification and location of almost any pattern or piece.

• There are many sources of information including books, magazines and newsletters to further your research and understanding.  See our Resource section for more.

• Shelley is no longer being produced; the supply is fixed and even dwindling as pieces are lost or broken.

From Shelley China Club

[Donna Cook]

Ellene, what a beautiful cup and a wonderful gift.  I'll keep an eye out for these beauties.  Thanks for sharing your treasured teacup. 

[Ellene Meece]

Thanks, Donna! I'm just happy to have it but knowing a bit more about it would be great too! :)

[0zk27d1vv0zud]

Ellene - I do have access to some (a little) information about Shelley and their various patterns. May I ask what in particular you would like to know please? I can then take a look and see if I can help. Shelley, is hugely popular here in England and some patterns can fetch very high prices. Particularly those with strong/bold Art Deco lines (such as like Clarice Cliff items)

[Ellene Meece]

Hey thanks!! I would like to know what this pretty green color was called and the pattern name. Oh...and is this the "snow drop" shape?

Looks like price wise, the pre-Shelley cups and saucers in good condition can bring mid $200's and up. Is that what you see?

[0zk27d1vv0zud]

The blue and white could be Pattern #3744 - Blue Dolly Varden 

I'll take a look now for the 'Snow Drop' 

[Ellene Meece]

Even if the color is green and white?

[0zk27d1vv0zud]

I was referring to the blue & white set top of this page, which looks to be the Blue Dolly Varden pattern ?

[Ellene Meece]

Oh...yes that one.

[0zk27d1vv0zud]

is there an Rd. No. on the saucer 115510 and on the cup 272764 ?

[Ellene Meece]

Oh yes! Correct, the cup is Rd 272764.

However, the saucer is not inked but engraved with no color. It looks like 0199115. Also, on the edge of the saucer is hand-painted three dots in a triangle with the number 5809 next to it.

Here are two photos of the bottom of the saucer:

[0zk27d1vv0zud]

It seems to be a pre-Shelly - Wileman piece c. September 1896. The Rd. number on your cup also appears on the Blue Rose pattern of the same date, and its saucer is panelled just as your piece too. The shape of the cup handle is identical also.  Its a nice example you have there. According to my info here, the Blue Rose pattern sells for around $275...

[Ellene Meece]

THANK YOU for the info! Much appreciated.