A very lovely Charles Wileman Foley Intarsio Art Nouveau four handled vase c1898. The vase is of a bulbous ovoid form and tapering cylindrical neck with four handles. Attractive Art Nouveau design of irises encircling the body of the vase. Decorated neck. CW Foley Intarsio mark used 1894 to 1910 and pattern number 3003 (registered 1898). The vase measures 21.5 cm in height.
 
The origins of Shelley (Foley) pottery were in the district known as Foley in the potteries and goes back to pre-1829. By 1872 several changes in ownership resulted in the company being known as Wileman & Co but using Foley mark. The appointment of Frederick Rhead as Art Director in 1896 had a dramatic influence on the style and variety of earthenware products produced. This included the introduction of ‘Intarsio’ ware, which became one of their most popular ranges of art pottery produced by Wileman & Co – exhibited by Liberty’s, one of the main trend-setters of the time. Rhead left the company in 1905. In 1910 the trade name was changed to Shelley Potteries Ltd. and a new mark bearing the name ‘Shelley’ was introduced.