The Grand & Gilded Sheraton Set by SHELLEY 💚
💚The Grand and Gilded Shelley Sheraton Set💚
💚 Imagine, if you will, the early 20th century, a time when afternoon tea was not merely a drink, but a lavish social ceremony!
💚 This exquisite cup and saucer were born under the magical roof of Shelley Potteries, an English company known for producing bone china so fine it practically floats on a cloud. This pattern, affectionately known as "Sheraton" (Pattern No. 12053), began to charm the masses in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
💚 The pattern itself is a brilliant little nod to the past, borrowing the ornate, neoclassical elegance of the Sheraton furniture style (named after the famous 18th-century designer, Thomas Sheraton). It was Shelley’s way of saying, "Why should cups be plain? Let's dress them up in their very best palace attire!"
This cup has likely witnessed decades of delicious gossip, polite society secrets, and the comforting ritual of a perfect cup of espresso. It is a piece of true English Tea Royalty!
💚Fit for a Fairy Court💚
This cup and saucer are a spectacular visual feast—a tiny, portable canvas of dazzling color and intricate detail!
💚 The Emerald Green Ribbon 💚
The eye is immediately captured by that magnificent band of rich, jewel-toned green that wraps around the cup and saucer. It's not just a stripe; it's a luscious ribbon of color, suggesting manicured lawns and royal gardens.
💚The Golden Flourish 💚
Overlaying this green are magnificent gilded scrolls and cartouches. These are the ornate, luxurious details that whisper "Sheraton!" They look like tiny, Baroque golden gates opening onto a secret garden of flavour. Notice the tiny gold net pattern peeking out from behind the scrolls—a delicate touch of trellis-work charm. This is all done with real gold!
💚 The Floral Jewels 💚
The open spaces—both in the centre of the saucer and on the lower body of the cup—are dotted with sweet little bouquets of enamel flowers! You have roses in candy-pink, forget-me-nots in sky-blue, and sunny little buttercups, all scattered like confetti from a magical ceremony.
💚 This piece is a delicate demitasse size, perfect for a concentrated espresso or a quick, elegant digestif. Its handle is a petite, perfect curl, waiting to be held by the daintiest of fingers.
💚This Shelley Sheraton is a truly opulent little piece—a tiny palace on a pedestal, ready to elevate even the simplest moment into a grand occasion!
The pottery mark dates from 1945-1966
All items are in vintage and antique preloved condition. Some minor surface scratches may be present. I do my best to note and photograph any wear. Please contact me with any further questions :)
Please Note: There could be small imperfections, including stray decorator marks, tiny areas of missing glaze, little rough spots, etc. This is not damage as production techniques were not quite as professional as they are today and are considered as part of their charm.
💚 The story of magical Shelley China 💚
🍄 The Wileman Whistle-Stop (The Beginning) 🍄
Our story begins way back in the mid-19th century, in the swirling mists of Staffordshire, England, the very heart of the potteries. The Wileman family, owners of the Foley works, were already dabbling in lovely earthenware. But in 1860, they decided a new, finer venture was needed. They built a second pottery, sparkling clean and ready to make the most delicate china!
Enter Joseph Ball Shelley in 1862. He wasn't a potter, mind you—he was a travelling salesman, a man with the gift of the gab and a pocketful of dreams. Joseph worked his magic, and soon enough, he was running the fine china side of the business and became James Wileman's partner, leading to the grand name of Wileman & Company in 1872.
🌟 The Triumph of the Teacup Titan (Percy Takes the Stage) 🌟
When Joseph's son, Percy Shelley, bounded into the company in 1881, things really took a whimsical turn. Percy had a vision! He didn't just want good china; he wanted exquisite china. He became the sole proprietor in 1896, and for fifty glorious years, he was the conductor of this ceramic orchestra.
Percy was a magnet for talent. He brought in the very best artists and designers, and the pieces they created were pure joy.
The "Dainty" Shape: Oh, the Dainty shape! Introduced in 1896, it was the delicate darling of the catalogue—so thin, so light, you’d swear it was made by fairies. It had a scalloped rim and a fluttery grace, becoming Shelley’s signature look.
A Splash of Art Deco: But Percy wasn't one to sit still. In the roaring 1920s and 30s, the china embraced the Art Deco craze! Shapes like 'Vogue,' 'Queen Anne,' and 'Mode' emerged with bold, angular handles and zippy geometric patterns—the jazz age of teacups!
🛡️ The Name Game and the Shield 🛡️
For a long time, the company’s name was still Wileman & Co., but their trade name was often "Foley China" (after the area). Alas, a little kerfuffle arose—another pottery was using "Foley" too! So, in 1910, Percy started to use the glorious name Shelley on his china, placing it inside a distinct shield—a badge of honour for their delicate wares. They officially became Shelley Potteries Ltd. in 1925, and the world of collectors breathed a collective, happy sigh.
💔 The Final Curtain (A Fond Farewell) 💔
Shelley's bone china was famous for its "eggshell" lightness, its vivid patterns, and its export success, especially after the war years. It was a time of floral fancies and vibrant chintz patterns, adorning tables all over the world.
But alas, even the prettiest pottery must face the march of time. In the late 1950s, the big conglomerates arrived, modernizing and producing cheaper wares. Shelley, with its dedication to expensive, high-quality bone china, found the going tough.
In 1966, the company was sold to Allied English Potteries, and soon after, production stopped. The factories were sadly demolished.
And so, the Shelley story concludes, not with a crash, but with a gentle clink of a teacup being set down. No new pieces are made, but their legacy lives on! Every dainty saucer, every vibrant Art Deco cup, is a little time-travelling treasure, reminding us of the days when Percy Shelley made the world a more colourful, more beautifully decorated place.