Shelley Art Deco cup & saucer, c.1930

“Vogue” shaped porcelain teacup in the bright yellow Sunray pattern 11742, designed by Eric Slater for Shelley and introduced in August 1930. Discontinued in 1933, due to impractically designed hard to hold cup handle.

Teacup has footed conical form and measures 2-1/2′ high and the saucer is 4″ in diameter.

Stamped in green on the bottom: Shelley; ENGLAND; Rd 756533 with pattern number 11742-4.

A close up of one of the metal staples which was drilled through the outside of the delicate cup, holding the 2 broken pieces together.

The inside of the teacup reveals the ends of the staples flanking the crack.

This “perfect” example can be seen in the ceramics collection at the V&A  Museum in London.

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7 Responses to “Shelley Art Deco cup & saucer, c.1930”

  1. Jackie says:

    Ooh, the little black “dots” complement the cup on the inside-almost as if they were designed to be there!

  2. Andrea says:

    Lovely result– I picture the pile of shards from a staple repair attempt without great skill and tools. Have you found anyone doing this kind of repair since you’ve been curating these, Andrew?

  3. Larry Terricone says:

    This posting has put me in my place. Who thought something from the 30’s was worth saving. Yes, I know, I am a snob. That said, incredible! Incredible that has saved a piece of history and incredible that someone can and still does this.
    Andrew, we need a convention/expo/seminar, something, somewhere, so we can see a collection of these wonderful pieces. I have a perfect venue here in Basking Ridge, NJ. It is just an hour west of New York City. Please contact me if you want to explore this idea further.

  4. Victoria says:

    A little ray of sunshine from those decadent deco days! Many porcelain manufacturers in the thirties tried this design of handle including the Duchess herself, Clarice Cliff. But as you said Andrew, they were just so uncomfortable and probably dangerous to hold. Health & safety would tut, tut today.

  5. Diana says:

    I have a cup with the same registration number same colours but different design . Mine is in perfect condition although I don’t have the saucer . I wish I could post a picture I’m trying to find the age

  6. Elizabeth says:

    I have a tea set, Cake or sandwich plate, four desert plates, four saucers, three tea cups. Marking underneath is Shelley England with orange butterfly in the word shelley. R2119 , is pattern number. Can you tell me anything about it.

  7. Thanks for your comment, Elizabeth. Sorry but I do not know much about the specific set of porcelain, as I only purchased it because of its early repairs. Best, Andrew

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