Blue Ivy - The Foley China

Name: The Foley China " Blue Ivy"
 
Type: Plates and Saucer
 
Year: circa 1891–1900
 
Set: yes ( Two plates and a saucer)
 
Mark: The Foley China - "The Foley China", a known trade name used by E. Brain & Co. Ltd., operating in the Foley Works, Fenton, Staffordshire, England
 
History: This is a matched trio of scalloped-edge porcelain plates—comprising a luncheon plate, a dessert/salad plate, and a smaller side or bread plate—featuring a delicate transfer-printed ivy and morning glory pattern. The design is executed in soft pastel blue, green, and amber tones with central floral sprays and a repeating ivy motif around the borders. The edges are trimmed in hand-applied gilt, and the bodies are gently fluted in a stylized flower-head shape.
 
 
This floral transferware design is unnamed but follows a naturalistic theme typical of early 20th-century English porcelain. The delicate ivy and bellflower vines are arranged in a trailing wreath style, with gentle transitions between yellow, green, and blue foliage. The registration number "Rd 175636" corresponds to the year 1891, confirming the period of design registration.
 
 
These items are likely late Victorian era, specifically dated to circa 1891–1900 based on the registration number and style.
 
 
The pieces are marked "The Foley China", a known trade name used by E. Brain & Co. Ltd., operating in the Foley Works, Fenton, Staffordshire, England. The intertwined initials in the mark and the style confirm this attribution. Foley was known for fine bone china and elegant tablewares, often in floral patterns with gilded accents.
 
 
For a trio in good condition (with light wear and fine crazing visible), the estimated market value is $60–$85 USD. Higher values may be realised for complete sets or pristine condition examples.
 
 
This trio from The Foley China embodies the refined aesthetic of late 19th-century English porcelain, where natural motifs and delicate colouring dominated tableware fashion. The fluted, petal-shaped forms are particularly evocative of the Aesthetic Movement’s influence on domestic goods, favouring organic shapes and soft natural hues. The use of a registered design number—Rd 175636—ties the pattern precisely to 1891, a useful detail for dating and verifying authenticity. The underglaze blue maker’s mark, lightly impressed shape number, and remnants of hand-painted gilding confirm its manufacture by E. Brain & Co., a respected Staffordshire firm. The condition is stable with even age-related crazing and minor gilt wear but no visible cracks or chips. The visual balance of gold and blue ivy on crisp white ground gives it both decorative charm and functional appeal, making it a desirable collectible among Victorian porcelain enthusiasts.
 
Flaws: None