Shelley China Tea Trio, Blue Phlox, Regent Shaped Cup, Ring Handle,Art Deco

TRIO D/R Gorgeous Art Deco Shelley China Tea Trio, Blue Phlox, Regent Shaped Cup, Ring Handle This cup and saucer is in the 'Regent' shape featuring the 'Phlox' pattern in its blue colourway. It was designed by Shelley Art Director, Eric Slater, who studied under Gordon Forsyth, an advocate of improvement in industrial design. Slater's slightly earlier 'Vogue' shape, though very modern and fashionably geometric, received some criticism for its infilled triangular cup handles which people found difficult to hold. Slater responded to the criticism with 'Regent', designed in 1932, and it soon became the most popular Shelley design. Selected by Gordon Forsyth to represent good design in his book Twenties Ceramics, its printed patterns were enhanced with enamel painting. It had a high bone content--up to 52%--and became an enduring favorite with customers.This amazing tea trio is the blue of a summer sky and the china of the cup in particular is so fine as to be almost translucent. Made by Shelley between 1932 and 1945 according to the backstamp and cup shape, the set is decorated with the delicate "Blue Phlox" pattern of hand-coloured deep blue, pale blue and pink phlox blossoms over pale grey leaves, and extends to the interior of the cup. The deep blue rims fade to a pale blue towards the pattern edges and the cup's ring handle is also painted deep blue. With full back stamp to base with shelley trade stamp for c1925-45 pattern name Phlox and number W12189 and on base of cup reg number 781613 for date c1933. CUP: Size 7.4 x 8.6 x 4.8cm SAUCER: 12.7 x 2.3cm PLATE: 17.8cm   Great condition,