Shelley

The origins of Shelley china go back to 1860 when Henry Wileman built the Foley China Works following a partnership with John Knight at the Foley Potteries. Following Knights retirement Wileman ran the company on his own passing it to his two sons James and Charles. In 1872 The Foley name changed to Wileman & Co when Joseph Shelley became a partner to James who had run the works since Charles's retirement.

Wileman & Co produced wares of the highest quality and the company ran unofficially under this name until 1920 when an attempt to register Foley China as a trade name failed and the name Shelley was introduced as by now other members of the Shelley family had joined and ran the company.

The period from 1920 to 1940 saw the flowering of the company under the artistic direction of Fredrick Rhead and Eric Slater. The art deco period at Shelley is noted for some of the most innovative and exiting designs in the world. The sheer quality of the porcelain and elegance of design make these pieces stand out against the cruder aspects of contemporaries such as Clarice Cliffe. Some Shelley pieces could stand in a modern interior design shop and not look out of place. As a result Shelley is keenly collected and will continue to appreciate in value in years to come.