Belleek Pottery Ltd. Decorative Baskets

This is an extremely rare Belleek cabaret set for two, or "tête-à-tête", made in the Erne series brought out in the 1890s. The items carry the 2nd Black Mark, used between 1891 and 1926. The set consists of a teapot, a milk jug, a sugar bowl, two teacups and saucers, and a large matching tray. This set is very fine and with its restrained cream-white colour it would make a wonderful wedding gift! If you ever thought Belleek fine china looks, sounds and feels unique, you are right. There is a back story to this extraordinarily fine Irish eggshell porcelain, which has an unusually high amount of "frit" and therefore is thinner and finer than any other china. Pottery in Belleek (in the now Northern-Irish area of Fermanagh) had started in 1849 with John Caldwell Bloomfield, who was a wealthy land owner. During the Irish famine he realised that unless he would find a way for his tenants to make a profit off the land, they would starve. Agriculture had become impossible due to the agricultural diseases. This caused millions to starve and more millions to leave. As an amateur mineralogist, John Caldwell Bloomfield realised that his land had exactly the right mineral deposits to be used as clay for porcelain. He involved several investors and scientists and after many years of research, trial, error, the building of a railway line to import coal from England, and building a factory, the Belleek pottery resulted, employing the local people and soon producing the finest china made with clay from the Belleek area. What had started as a way to fend off famine among the local tenants had became a story of incredible success by the 1880s as Queen Victoria fell in love with the fine white china and the many homely, slightly bizarre but nature-loving designs; this was different from English tradition, yet it was very much to the taste of the British who had developed a real love for home-made fine china since it was introduced in the late 18th Century. Belleek not only brought out many tea services, but started a new tradition of intricately woven porcelain baskets. Soon the English nobility started to place big orders and the pottery is still flourishing today and selling its wares the world over, while in England most potteries have long disappeared. Belleek made many cabaret services, often called breakfast services or "tête-à-tête" services; these were used to carry breakfast tea up to the bedroom. Queen Victoria bought one in the Echinus style during a visit to the factory in the 1860s, and ever since Belleek's cabaret services have been in great demand. Nowadays there are very few of these left and it is rare to find a full service like this. The Erne series was named after the river right besides the Belleek factory. This river forms the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with the factory on the Northern Irish end of the bridge at Belleek. The pattern seems to be a play on the baskets and nets of the fishermen who once fished the abundant trout and salmon on the river Erne and the lake that belongs to it. The items carry the second Black Mark, which was used between 1891 and 1926, however the very fine quality of the porcelain indicates that most pieces of the set are more likely to be from the 1890s than from the 20th Century. You will see that the shade of cob lustre is different on each item; this is normal for Belleek tea sets...

Laos bamboo basket. Age: Laos, 20th Century Size: Height 23.7 C.M. / Diameter 26 C.M. Condition: Nice condition overall.

BELLEEK (Manufacturer) - ' Neptune ' (Pattern) - Vintage porcelain sugar bowl - featuring a yellow iridescent glaze to the interior of the bowl - green maker's mark to the bottom - I...

A fine KPM porcelain basket. With reticulated or pierced sides, twin handles, and a hand-painted floral spray to the center. Simply a wonderful porcelain basket! Date: Late 19th or Early 20th Century Overall Condition It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with some very fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: KPM Porcelain Marks: Base bears a blue underglaze factor scepter mark, an iron-red orb mark, hand-painted cyphers and numbers, an impressed cyphers, and a cut slash...

An Exceptionally Fine Quality Irish Belleek Porcelain Pleated and Flared Trumpet formed Centerpiece of museum quality. Third black mark for 1926 to 1946 The main flaired body above a lavish molded circular spreading basket base with superbly applied flower heads of Roses Chrysanthemums and Sunflower. Condition: Good condition for such an early piece of Belleek. No losses anywhere to floral decoration. The inside and outside trumpet area has been overpainted, I do not know why as there is no evidence of any losses or restoration, possibly old water staining. Black BELLEEK...

BELLEEK (Manufacturer) - ' Neptune ' (Pattern) - Vintage porcelain cream jug - large Size - featuring a yellow iridescent glaze to the handle - green maker's mark to the bottom - Ire...

A beautiful Mid-Century Modern centerpiece bowl or art glass vase in the hand blown Sommerso technique of hues of pink and purple, Italy, circa 1960s. Spirit Gallery presents a h...

BELLEEK (Manufacturer) - Vintage ceramic ewer - featuring applied porcelain floral decoration to the body - 3rd green maker's mark to the bottom - Ireland - circa 1965-1980. Excel...

Stunning assembled Collection of three wonderful early Irish Black Mark Belleek Items to include a quite rare seldom seen rope handled small bowl. All pieces are Second Period Bl...

A mother of pearl butterfly lustre bowl with a stunning orange interior, made circa 1915 by Daisy Makeig-Jones for Wedgwood. This butterfly lustre bowl is a gorgeous example of Da...

A vintage wicker basket, circa mid-20th century, USA. A great decorative basket for fruit, vegetables, bread, etc. Piece is oblong. Dimensions: 3" height x 5" D x 20.5" width. For ...

A wonderful french dore bronze & cut crystal oval basket centerpiece with pierced open work handle resting on four legs. In the manner of Baccarat.