Wileman & Co Foley China pre-Shelley Porcelain Trio Cup Saucer & Plate - Victoria Shape decorated in the Gilded Aster Pattern 3980 Antique ca 1889 -2

A late Victorian Wileman & Co Foley China pre-Shelley porcelain trio consisting of a Victoria shaped cup with an angular handle and tapering straight sided body, a round saucer and tea plate. All three items are decorated with a two tone gilded pattern depicting flowers shaped like Asters, in a design often referred to as the "Aster Sprays" pattern. Each item has a gilded rim, the cup also has a gilded line on the inside of the rim, one just above the foot rim and the handle has also been lined with gilding. Some collectors may refer to this type of cup as a demitasse.

The base of each item has the hand painted pattern number 3980, although we have seen recorded very similar ones with pattern number 3981. This design was first introduced in 1889. All have the transfer printed crowned monogram W and Co mark with the word PATENT printed below. This mark was used from 1884 until circa 1895. 

The body is very white and this is high-quality bone china as made by the factory of James Frederick Wileman and his partnership with Joseph Ball Shelley trading as Wileman and Co of the Foley China Works, Fenton, Staffordshire, England.

The cup stands 2 1/2 inches  (6.4 cm) high and is 2 15 /16 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter at the rim. The saucer is 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) in diameter at the rim. The tea plate is 6 7/8 inches ( 17.5 cm) diameter. A total unpacked weight of 420 grammes.

Condition:  Excellent antique condition. Some extremely minor wear to the gilding. No chips cracks nor restoration, all ring when flicked with a finger. Please see the images.

This is a lovely piece to display among any collection of antique English porcelain, Wileman & Co or Shelley China. We have listed another similar item separately, so both could be used as originally intended. The orange sticker on the base of each is to help differentiate between the two sets. 

References

See plate 1381 of page 231 of a Compendium of British Cups by Michael Berthoud.

See the Shelley group website for Wileman and Shelley china collectors.