Modern Day Elegance

April Tea Set As collectors, we've all come to appreciate the beauty of Shelley as we gaze upon our collections carefully set upon shelves or lovingly ensconced in our favorite curio cabinet. Many, however, have enhanced the enjoyment of their collections by actually using them. Shelley was, after all, made to be used and enjoyed on a regular, if not daily, basis.

At the suggestion of a member, this page has been created for collectors to share their examples of modern day elegance: pictures of Shelley in use with tables set with linens, silverware, crystal, flowers, candles, and all the accessories that make for a beautiful table. As many of these photos demonstrate, it's not necessary to have a complete service; mixing and matching patterns and shapes will produce a thoroughly delightful result.

If you would like to be a part of this project, send your photos to [email protected]. You can use a dinner, luncheon, or breakfast setting, or maybe you have your table set for a brunch, buffet, tea, or bridge party. All submissions are welcome. Please identify the name of the pattern or patterns of Shelley, silver, glassware, and tell us anything else about the table setting that is of interest to you. Perhaps the linens you are using are heirlooms, if so please tell us.

To conclude, let us close with this description from a circular sent to prospective purchasers:

When you buy china, buy it not so much for the service it will give -- for any good china will last a lifetime with proper care -- but for the beauty it brings to your home. You will see it and use it practically every day. And, if it be Shelley China, one thing is certain -- that the passage of years will make not the slightest impression on its delightfully fresh appearance. Shelley is the china to live with -- it has the secret of perpetual charm.

Pick up a Shelley China cup with an ungloved hand. Feel its soft velvety surface and note its thin beauty -- a light body that belies its great strength. You will surely be charmed, too, by the delightfully fresh appearance of the colours. Ten, twenty -- a hundred years hence, they will still have the same rich lustre...

Shelley Potteries Ltd.

So Beautiful to Behold, But Even Better To Hold

Modern Day Elegance Vol. I

Shelley Art Deco Style, blue ring on White ware, Carlton shape
Shelley Begonia Pattern # 13427
Shelley Begonia Pattern # 13427
Shelley Begonia Pattern # 13427, Dessert and Sideboard with cake plate and serving dish
Shelley Blue Iris Pattern #11561, Queen Anne shape, Hand embroidered white lace tablecloth
Shelley Blue Princess Pattern #14026, Richmond shape, hand embroidered white tablecloth
Shelley Blue Rock Pattern #13591
Shelley Blue Rock Pattern #13591
Shelley Bridal Rose Pattern #13425
Shelley Bridal Rose Pattern #13425
Shelley Campanula Pattern#13886, purple flowers on cross-stitch tablecloth
Shelley Harebell Pattern #13590, Oleander shape
Shelley Scottish Motto Ware on blue embroidered tablecloth
Shelley White Regency Pattern #11561, Oleander shape
Breakfast in Bed, Shelley Stocks Pattern #13428. Breakfast Set: cup and saucer, plate, covered muffin, individual coffee pot, creamer, sugar, egg cup, jam pot, and fruit bowl
Formal Dinner for Six. Shelley Stocks Patten #13428, Dainty shape, Gorham Baronial sterling silver flatware, Waterford crystal
Shelley Stocks Patten #13428, Dainty shape, Gorham Baronial sterling silver flatware, Waterford crystal
Dessert Sideboard: Shelley Stocks Pattern #13428 coffee and tea, Dainty shape; fruit dishes, pedestal cake plate, dessert plates. Waterford Powerscourt cordials
Dinner for Two (Mixed). Horns Shelley Wild Anemone Pattern #13977; Boullion cup & saucer Pattern #6509 ivory/yellow and #6506 yellow/pink; cup & saucer Pattern #13295-13299 and 13567, Dainty shape; 8" underplate Pattern #13585, Dainty shape; 7" plate Pattern #12977, Cambridge and Ripon shapes; Teapot, Globe shape
Dainty White Dinner, Shelley Dainty White Pattern
Tea for Two. Shelley Pattern #10707, Norman shape; Oneida Community flatware; gold plate napkin rings with Swarovski crystals; Mikasa cut glass candlesticks; Gold Teapot demi spoons;"Hand Crafted Linnens" napkins and mats; Roses by Wilendure tablecloth
Tea for Four. Shelley Autumn Leaves Pattern #11724, Queen Anne shape; Oneida Community gold plated flatware; Quaker Dinner Cloth #2800; Shefferd #9798 porcelain placecard holders; Shefferd #9799 napkin rings; Shefferd sterling cake fork with Briar Rose handle; Gold Teapot demi spoons.
Tea for Two. Shelley Pattern #13658, Gainsborough shape; vintage lace tablecloth; hard embroidered cutwork linen napkins; Watson Newell Floral Series No. 5 sterling flatware; sterling accent pieces
Tea for Two. Shelley Heavenly Blue Pattern #14075, Dainty shape; vintage hand embroidered, hand crotcheted tablecloth; Gorham Floral Series sterling spoons
Tea for One. Shelley Dainty Blue Pattern #051/28
After Dinner Coffee & Dessert. Shelley Coffee Service Pattern #13498/41, Gainsborough shape Coffee pot, sugar & creamer; Mocha shape demitass cups & saucers; Shelley Dessert Service Pattern # 13674 plates and serving dish; Watson Newell Floral Series No. 4 sterling flatware; vintage hand embroidered tablecloth and napkins
After Dinner Coffee & Dessert. Shelley Coffee Service Pattern #13498/41, Gainsborough shape; coffee pot, sugar & creamer; Mocha shape demitasse cups and saucers. Shelley Dessert Service Pattern #13674/39 plates and serving dish; Watson Newell Floral Series No. 4 sterling flatware.
After Dinner Coffee. Shelley Syringa Pattern #14009, Windsor shape; Watson Newell Floral Series No. 1 sterling flatware
Luncheon for Four. Shelley Rambler Rose Pattern #13671, Dainty shape; Gorham Baronial sterling flatware; Waterford crystal
Shelley Rambler Rose Pattern #13671, Dainty shape; Gorham Baronial sterling flatware; Waterford crysta
St. David's Day Celebration. Shelley Welsh Women commemorative ware Rd. #398711; pieces include fine bone china and earthenware. Daffodils in vase are the national flower of Wales. Welsh flag to celebrate St. David, the patron saint of Wales. Sterling silver spoon with enamel painting of a Welsh woman. Maytime chintz butter dish with Welsh Women litho and butter knife.
Shelley Welsh Women commemorative ware Rd. #398711
Shelley Welsh Women commemorative ware Rd. #398711; Maytime chintz butter dish with Welsh Women litho and butter knife
Sterling silver spoonwith enamel painting of Welsh Women similar to Shelley lithos
Tea Time on the Terrace for One. Shelley Regency Individual Tea Set with Shelley napkin ring; Gorham Luxemburg sterling flatware
Regency Formal Dinner. Shelley Regency pattern, Oleander shape; Edinburgh crystal; Reed and Barton sterling flatware with nutcracker placecard holders
Regency place setting, Shelley Regency pattern, Oleander shape; Edinburgh crystal; Reed and Barton sterling flatware with nutcracker placecard holders
Shelley Blue Poppy Pattern #12333, Court shape
Breakfast for One. Shelley Rosebud Pattern #13426, Dainty shape
Shelley Hedgerow Pattern #0189, Dainty shape
Tea for One. Shelley Bubbles Pattern #11185
Coffee Service. Shelley Imari Demi Pattern #7465, Royal shape
Shelley Drifting Leaves Pattern # 13848, Gainsborough shape
Shelley Drifting Leaves Pattern # 13848, Gainsborough shape
Blue Poppy Dessert. Shelley Blue Poppy Pattern #12333
Shelley Bubbles Pattern #11185, Bute shape
Shelley Coral Polka Dots Pattern #13748/D; floral napkin ring Pattern #12964; 4 1/2" sterling teaspoon; Oneida Community Sterling flatware; placemats by "Hand Crafted Linens"; napkins hand embroidered from Ireland, tablecloth - Wilendur Floral
Shelley Pink Star with shaded yellow segment Pattern #11993; Floral napkin ring Pattern #12964; 4 1/2" sterling teaspoon; Oneida Community Sterling flatware; placemats by "Hand Crafted Linens"; napkins hand embroidered from Ireland, tablecloth - Wilendur Floral
Shelley Salmon with White Dots. Salmon Pattern #12897/S37; Floral napkin ring Pattern #12964; 4 1/2" sterling teaspoon; Oneida Community Sterling flatware; placemats by "Hand Crafted Linens"; napkins hand embroidered from Ireland, tablecloth - Wilendur Floral
Mix and Match Lavendar Lilac Colorway. Plain White 8" plates, salt, and pepper shakers; Dainty Regency pin dish, bread tray, two creamers with tray; Sugar Loaf tray; German cut glass; Gold plate Oneida Community flatware; napkins hand embroidered from Ireland; place mats, napkin rings and glassware from Sur La Table
Mix and Match Lavendar Lilac Colorway. Shelley Campanula Pattern #13886 cup and saucer, Dainty shape
Mix and Match Lavendar Lilac Colorway. Shelley Violets Pattern #13821 cup and saucer
Mix and Match Lavendar Lilac Colorway. Shelley Lilac Pattern #14293, Dainty shape
Mix and Match Lavendar Lilac Colorway. Shelley Pansy Pattern #13823 cup and saucer, Dainty shape; Shelley Lilac Pattern #14293 casserole dish
Shelley Blue Swallows Pattern #8190, cup and saucer, Bute shape
Shelley Blue Swallows Tea Set. Blue Swallows Pattern #8190 tea, Bute shape
Shelley Heather Coffee Set, New Cambridge shape
Shelley England's Charm Coffee Set Pattern #0188, Cambridge shape
Shelley Sgraffito Pattern #13569/66, Ripon shape
Sgraffito Coffee Set Pattern #13569/66, Ripon Shape

Shelley Glorious Deven Pattern #12734 plates, Oleander shape, with Shelley White Ware cup and saucer, Oleander shape
Glorious Devon. Shelley White Ware 16oz coffee pot, Oleander shape, with Shelley small lided fruit bowl; Crinkle Ware salt & peppers, and blue and white side dishes which seem to have escaped the factory on the way to becoming Pattern #6858 Empire. Displayed on Queen Anne Indian Head cloth #289 with Fiesta Cobalt Blue flatware. The Teapot is Wedgewood Queen's Ware Romantic England.
Breakfast Set. Wileman Pattern Gold Aster Sprays on Worcester shape; Wileman creamer, sugar, and teapot in Alexandra shape, Rd. #60650; Royal Carlton tray #5570, gold on white porcelain with handpainted flowers
Shelley Melrose Pattern #14137, Richmond Shape
Lovely Melrose Afternoon. Shelley Melrose Pattern #14137, Richmond Shape
Melrose Place setting, Shelley Melrose Pattern #14137, Richmond Shape
Melrose Detail, Shelley Melrose Pattern #14137, Richmond Shape
Queen Anne Breakfast. Shelley Blue Iris Pattern #11561
Queen Anne Breakfast. Shelley Blue Iris Pattern #11561
Shelley Dainty Yellow Pattern #051/Y
Shelley Dainty Yellow Dinner Service. Shelley Dainty Yellow Pattern #051/Y includes dinner, salad, and butter plates, soup cup, tea cup and saucer.
St. Patrick's Day Table. Shelley Shamrock Pattern #14114, dinner service with Duncan glass tumblers and Gorham Baronial sterling silver
St. Patrick's Day Table. Shelley Shamrock Pattern #14114, dinner plate and butter pat, with Duncan glass tumblers and Gorham Baronial sterling silver
Shelley Shamrock Tea, Shelley Shamrock Pattern #14114, Dainty shape, with Waterford goblets and Gorham Baronial sterling silver flatware displayed on vintage Irish cloth
Shelley Glorious Devon Pattern #12734 with Scottish Motto cups
St. Patrick's Day Table. Shelley Shamrock Pattern #14114, Dainty shape, with Waterford goblets and Gorham Baronial sterling silver
St. Patrick's Day. Shelley Dainty White snack sets and hostess sets; Waterford glassware, Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
St. Patrick's Day. Shelley Dainty White snack sets and hostess sets; Waterford glassware, Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
St. Patrick's Day. Shelley Dainty White snack sets and hostess sets; Waterford glassware, Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
St. Patrick's Day. Shelley Dainty White snack sets and hostess sets; Waterford glassware, Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
Easter. Herend mini-tureens, Waterford glassware, and Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
Easter. Herend mini-tureens, Waterford glassware, and Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
Easter. Herend mini-tureens, Waterford glassware, and Irish Regency Hourglass silver and Kings silverplate.
Christmas Tea: Shelley Dainty Pink #051/P, together with pre-Civil War inverted Fern pattern glass, Towel Old Colonial sterling flatware, handmade linen napkins, and Scandinavian Tomte Santas.
Christmas Tea: Shelley Dainty Pink #051/P, together with pre-Civil War inverted Fern pattern glass, Towel Old Colonial sterling flatware, handmade linen napkins, and Scandinavian Tomte Santas.
Old Sevres Place Setting
Old Sevres Dinner Table
Unknown
Unknown
Campanula
Campanula
Chantilly Oleander
Glorious Devon
Glorious Devon
Unknown
Serenity Circle
Shelley Shamrock Pat. No. 14114
Shelley Shamrock Pat. No. 14114
Shelley Meissenette Pat. No. 14260