Shelley first appeared on English ceramics about 1912. The Foley China Works started in England in 1860. Joseph Ball Shelley joined the company in 1862 and became a partner in 1872. Percy Shelley joined the firm in 1881. The company went through a series of name changes and in 1910 the then Foley China Company became Shelley China. In 1929 it became Shelley Potteries. The company was acquired in 1966 by Allied English Potteries, then merged with the Doulton group in 1971. The name Shelley was put into use again in 1980. Shelley is no longer being made. "Trio" is the name for a cup, saucer, and cake plate set. The most distinctive features of Shelley china are the scenes of flower gardens, "Chintz" designs, and the severe geometric designs. For more information, explore our identification guides for Shelley, Chintz, and European dinnerware.