Handy pottery, fifty on the shelf (4)
I believe the answer is:
deft
'handy' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deft that I've seen before include "Quick and dexterous" , "Skilful, handling things easily" , "Quick and effective" , "Quick and skilful in movement" , "'Skilful, quick and neat (4)'" .)