Vogue (shape)

Shelley Potteries are best known for their delicate, attractive and adventurous bone china tea and coffee wares of the 1920s and 1930s. This cup and saucer is in the 'Vogue' shape featuring the 'Sunray' pattern. It was designed in 1930 by Shelley Art Director, Eric Slater, who studied under Gordon Forsyth, an advocate of improvement in industrial design. Slater's 'Vogue' shape was very modern and made from finely-turned high quality bone china. The geometric form--conical cups with solid triangular handles--was well-matched with a range of dynamic Art Deco patterns. 'Sunray' was one of the most successful patterns and is now highly-prized by collectors.

Cup and saucer · Fenton · 1930. Bone china printed in fawn and painted in enamel colours. By Slater, Eric. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.