{"product_id":"shelley-fine-bone-china-side-plate-rock-garden-england-c-1945-1966","title":"Shelley | Fine Bone China | Side Plate | Rock Garden | England | c.1945–1966","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShelley | Fine Bone China | Side Plate | Rock Garden | England | c.1945–1966\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA garden compressed into a few inches of bone china — the scale is improbable, but the effect holds.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley developed from Wileman \u0026amp; Co. in the late 19th century, becoming one of Staffordshire’s most regarded producers of fine bone china tableware. By the mid-20th century, the factory had established a reputation for finely printed, all-over floral patterns, particularly within its chintz-style designs. Rock Garden belongs to this tradition, presenting a densely arranged alpine planting across the full surface. Production under the Shelley name ceased in 1966 following acquisition by Allied English Potteries, fixing the output within a defined historical window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plate is circular with a gently scalloped edge and a fine green line at the rim. The surface is fully decorated in the Rock Garden pattern: a closely arranged composition of small-scale blooms — pinks, yellows, blues, and whites — interspersed with irregular stonework, suggesting a planted rockery viewed at close range. The ground remains a soft cream-white beneath the decoration. The reverse carries a green “Fine Bone China Shelley England” backstamp dating to c.1945–1966. Beneath this, the pattern name “Harebell” with number 13590 is printed, differing from the face decoration. This appears to be a factory backstamping inconsistency and is noted accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no chips, cracks, crazing, or surface wear. The plate presents in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Shelley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePattern\/Model: Rock Garden (face); backstamp reads Harebell 13590\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Fine bone china\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: England\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: c.1945–1966\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: Diameter 12.8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 98 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Excellent; no chips, cracks, crazing, or wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley’s all-over floral and chintz-style patterns remain among the most consistently collected areas of mid-century English ceramics. Rock Garden sits within this group, offering the dense, continuous decoration that defines the category. The backstamping inconsistency adds a point of interest, though its appeal remains secondary to condition and pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe factory stamp says one thing; the plate says another — and the surface, as usual, carries the argument.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Dancing Faun ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45060348379336,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/3497\/2104\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_47f5716c-18db-4755-bd69-c1d39e14df64.png?v=1776698896","url":"https:\/\/dancingfaun.co.za\/products\/shelley-fine-bone-china-side-plate-rock-garden-england-c-1945-1966","provider":"The Dancing Faun ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}