VINTAGE Shelley Bone China Rock Garden Golden Handle Tea Cup and Saucer, England

Famous for the manufacturing of fine china and earthenware, the Shelley factory sadly no longer exists, but its name and production legacy lives on. Shelley pottery really took off and increased in popularity after the war years, becoming especially known for its fashionable tea ware. The history of Shelley pottery dates back to the 1870s, when it was originally named Wileman & Co, followed by The Foley Potteries, before the final use of popular name ‘Shelley’ was confirmed in the 1900s and Percy Shelley adopted the Shelley name as a trademark. The history of the Shelley name continued to be complicated. Confusion and competition broke out with the name ‘Foley’ when another company used this name on their pottery. This is reflected on the backstamps of early pieces, and you may find stamps stating, ‘Late Foley’. In 1965, Shelley became part of Allied English Potteries (A.E.P) and the production of Shelley ware was stopped. Sadly, all the factories were destroyed, and the only remaining legacy is the outstanding quality of the Shelley range. This specific piece is a vintage Shelley Bone China Rock Garden Golden Handle Tea Cup and Saucer, England.