Belleek Pottery Ltd. Ceramics

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...

This is a very good fluted porcelain armorial tea cup and saucer in the Chinese taste with an Armorial lion and horse supporting a shield above a legend, made by Samson, Paris, France. Edme Samson, Paris, circa 1860 - 1880. EdmeSamson of Paris (1810-1891) was one of the foremost copyists of Chinese porcelain and nowadays his copies are treasured in the own right for the quality of their craftsmanship and skill in painting, as with this piece. This piece is beautifully made with lavish bianco-sopra-bianco, enamel and gilt decoration. The cup has a Heraldic Coat of Arms on the front in the style of Chinese Export porcelain with a lion and horse supporting a red shield...

This is a bat printed porcelain Tea cup and saucer, by New Hall, dating to the early 19th century George 111rd period, circa 1805. Both pieces are well potted, the cup on a low foot with a ring handle. Both pieces have a bat printed design; the cup with a country scene of people by a river with houses, bridge and trees, the saucer with a lady holding a basket of flowers standing by a bush in a country setting. There is hand gilding to all the rims and the outer handle. Overall, a fine example of Newhall porcelain...

This is a hard paste porcelain Tea Bowl and Saucer by New Hall, dating to the turn of the 18th century, George 111rd period, circa 1800. Both pieces are decorated over-glaze with ...

An exceptional and finely made Irish woven porcelain hexagonal shaped basket made by Belleek and dating from the 19th century. The stunning basket stan...

This is a good porcelain duo of a cup and saucer by the Derby factory, made during the George 111rd period, circa 1800. Both pieces are well potted in the Hamilton flute shape wit...

Stunning assembled Collection of Pair of wonderful Decorative Porcelain Items comprising of a Pair of Irish Belleek Aberdeen Ewers or Pitchers. All pieces are Second Period Black Ma...

A beautiful classical Greek key design porcelain teacup and matching saucer. This set will be a beautiful addition to any collection. The saucer is round with turned-up sides. (It wo...

A very rare set of 4 espresso cups and saucers the plates are 4" diameter, made in Italy circa 1980s by Baldelli signed .beautiful design and quality.

This is a rare coffee cup and saucer in ‘The Traveller’ or ‘One Legged Duck’ blue transfer printed, hand gilded pattern by John Turner & family, of Lane End, Longton, Staffordshire. ...

This is a good porcelain TRIO of a Tea Cup, Coffee Cup and saucer by the Derby factory, made during the George 111rd period, circa 1795. The pieces are well potted in the Hamilton...

This is a late 18th century porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer in pattern 128 by the Derby factory, Circa 1795. This is a rare Derby pattern that we have not come across or seen previou...