Teacup (3 inches tall) and saucer (6 inches diameter). Red transfer. Maker is F. J. Emery. The saucer pattern is quite eye-catching: a semi-circle superimposed on a rectangle with a fancy scroll and heart design. It is the scene inside the semi-circle, however, which is most captivating. Here two young girls, with amazingly adult-like faces, stand not far from a fence as if mesmerized while they watch a number of bees buzz about some nearby flowers. The cartouche is gracefully framed at top and left by the leafy stem of a long weeping wisteria, which echoes the garden motif of the scene within. A much simpler stem of flowers is placed casually under the cartouche extending across the well and onto the rim as a partial border for the scene. The cup features a similar pattern: a square cartouche with a young girl leaning on a fence, framed on either side by two semi-circles with the aforementioned scroll and heart design, all superimposed over blooming flowers. The opposite side of the cup features a sprig of flowers similar to the one seen on the saucer. The base of the inside of the cup features a a blooming rose stem.

In January 1859 Francis Joseph Emery together with Jacob Furnival and John Derbyshire gave notice of a patent application of an invention of "improvements in apparatus for supporting articles of china and earthenware in kilns and ovens." C.1865 "In connection with the Furnival Works, Mr. F. J. Emery of the Bleak Hill Works introduced in about 1865 a method of crayon drawing and painting on the unglazed surface of earthenware and china, which came much in repute, and drawings were made in it by some of the artists as well as by ladies and other amateurs. The unglazed articles and prepared crayons and colors were supplied by Mr. Emery, who afterwards became a partner with Edward Clarke at Longport, and proprietor of the Bleak Hill Works." Source: Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900

From 1877 to 1881 Francis Joseph Emery was in partnership with Edward Clarke at the New Bridge Works, Longport as Edward Clarke & Co. From 1878 to 1880 Emery occupied the famous "Churchyard Works" in Burslem, which was once operated by the Wedgwood family. In 1880 Emery moved to the Bleak Hill Works until 1894. In the 1881 census the Emery family were living at 222 Waterloo Road, Burslem. Francis Emery was aged 49 and his occupation was 'Earthenware Manufacturer & Councillor Employing 50 Men 40 Females'. In March 1894 proceedings were taken against Francis Emery leading to bankruptcy.