What is Shelley

Shelley china is undoubtedly the best representative of the Staffordshire England potteries, perhaps the epitome of all bone china. The Shelley Potteries produced china and pottery of great beauty and diversity. Their bone china is very thin and surprisingly strong. The china is thin enough to be translucent, similar to Irish Belleek china. Shelley's bone china achieved these qualities because their bone china formula had the highest percentage of ground bone of any china manufacturer. Over 15,000 patterns were applied to Shelley china.

The pottery from this company is easily some of the best art pottery ever created. It began late in the 19th century under Shelley's first trade name, which was Wileman. There are dozens of styles of strikingly beautiful Shelley pottery from their creative art directors and artisans. We can only show a few here.

Shelley products can be identified by their quality, shapes, patterns, and trademarks.

PHOTOS

 

  • The Incredible Diversity Of Shelley
 
 
  • Briar Rose chintz
    Briar Rose Chintz
  • Bull finch
    Bull Finch Figurine
  • Dainty Blue bell
    Dainty Blue Bell
  • Elegants (Medium)
    Elegant Cup and Saucers
  • Faience vase
    Faience Vase
  • Gerry's Shelley Girl (Medium)
    Shelley Girl Figurine
  • Greek Key teaset
    Greek Key Tea Set
  • Imari
    Japan Ware Imari
  • Intarsio clock
    Intarsio Clock
  • Moorcroft style powder dish
    Moorcroft Style Powder Bowl
  • Niagara Falls (Medium)
    Niagara Souvenir Ware
  • Summer Glory chintz
    Summer Glory Chintz
  • Walter Slater vases
    Walter Slater Vases
  • Welsh Women chintz dish
    Welsh Women Chintz Dish & Knife
Briar Rose chintz