'W over C' (Crown above) Pottery Mark Query - {editors note: Could It Be Wileman & Co, Foley China?}
by Kathy
'W over C' (Crown above) Pottery Mark Query - {editors note: Could It Be Wileman & Co, Foley China?}
'W over C' (Crown above) {editors note: Could It Be Wileman & Co, Foley China?} Pottery Mark Query: I cannot find this mark anywhere online. This is on an Imari trio that I bought in England. Any ideas?
Reply by Peter (admin) To:- 'W over C' (Crown above) {editors note: Could It Be Wileman & Co, Foley China?} Pottery Mark Query: Hi Kathy Well, what a nice trio you have! I love the Imari pattern, it is stunning. Thanks for taking the time to upload a photo - it always helps with the identification of the pottery mark. I think I have solved your quandary. The pottery backstamp shown is that of Wileman & Co, the makers of both Foley pottery and Shelly. The good news is that for some reason or other, Shelly has become a very collectible pottery mark for certain enthusiasts, and the feeling may well have rubbed off on sister brand Foley China. The only thing you need to be aware of (typical in this convoluted world of pottery markings) is that there is another, quite unassociated china mark called Foley by W.H Brain. You can read the history of the Wileman Foley brand by going to my A to Z Guide on China Manufacturers. Look under 'S' for Shelly. The story of the 'other' Foley is as follows: Around 1885 a gentleman called Mr E. Brain bought out his partner (Mr Robinson) at the Foley works, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. On his father's death W.H Brain took over. They had a well known trade mark 'EB'. Wileman & Co produced china from the same Foley works between 1892 and 1925. The Wileman & Co pottery mark has distinguishing overlaid initials W and C normally with a crown above (your mark). Wileman was also in partnership with J.B. Shelley over that period. In 1925 the company was renamed 'Shelley'. There is yet another 'Foley' called 'Old Foley' by James Kent Ltd of Longton who produced various pottery marks out of the 'Old Foley Pottery' from 1897, but didn't market an actual 'Old Foley' brand until after 1955. As this can all get a bit confusing, anyone needing some expert assistance can go to my ‘fast track to an expert’ page, written especially for visitors to my site needing a valuation or formal identification: www.figurines-sculpture.com/id-pottery-mark.html Here, a professional appraiser can let you know if your mark is identifiable by experts without you having to pay any money upfront. This service is unique online and is designed to protect my site visitors from wasting their time and money online. Hope this information is useful. Best regards, Peter (admin) www.figurinecollect.com (These pages show our new English made bone china figurine collection) www.figurines-sculpture.com (This is my bigger site covering all aspects of fine china making)  IDENTIFYING POTTERY MARKS ....more CHINA PATTERN IDENTIFICATION ....more HOW I BUILT THIS WEBSITE ....more
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