Belleek Comport, White Parian Porcelain on Dolphin Foot, Victorian, 1863-1891

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Belleek Comport, White Parian Porcelain on Dolphin Foot, Victorian, 1863-1891

Name: Belleek Comport, White Parian Porcelain on Dolphin Foot, Victorian, 1863-1891
Brand: Belleek Pottery Ltd.
Rating: 5 (44 reviews)

Price:$800

About the Item

This is a rare and very charming Belleek centre piece or low comport, made between 1863 and 1891. It is made of parian porcelain in the shape of a large shell placed on a foot of three dolphins. If you ever thought Belleek fine china looks, sounds and feels unique, you are right. There is a back story to this fine Irish porcelain, which has an unusually high amount of "frit" and therefore tends to be 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 diseases that were plaguing the island at that time. 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. They were different from English tradition, yet very much to the taste of the British who had developed a real love for fine china since it was introduced in the late 18th century. 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. This low comport would have been part of a larger dessert service that had, besides its plates, a large centre piece, a high comport and two of these low comports. On a modern size dinner table this would make a fabulous centre piece by itself. It consists of a large shell that is carried by three dolphins; the foot of the item is shaped like the wild water of the sea. The dolphins look slightly mischievous, and they have large mouths full of little teeth. The whole item is very life-like, yet it is cheerful; it is a really lovely addition to any table and is a great item to present fruit on. Condition report the whole piece is in fantastic condition, except one flaked chip to the rim of the shell; this is not very obvious. There is a little firing fault to the tail of one of the dolphins, this looks like it is from production and is stable. Please note that all items in my shop are of vintage or antique condition. They have often been used for many years and can have normal signs of wear. I will reflect any damage, repairs or heavy wear in the item description but some minor scratches, nicks and stains can be normal for vintage items and need to be taken into account. There is widespread confusion on the internet about the difference between chips and nicks, or hairlines and cracks. I will reflect any damage as truthfully as I can, i.e. a nick is a tiny bit of damage smaller than 1mm and a chip is something you can see with the eye; a hairline runs over the surface glazing but not the body of the item and a crack runs through the body of the item, usually weakening its structure. Dimensions: 25cm (9 3/4") diameter, stands 12cm (4 3/4") high.

Creator:
Belleek Pottery Ltd. (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Diameter: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain
Place of Origin:
Ireland, Northern
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1863-1891
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. One chip off the rim, a small firing fault from production in the base, otherwise perfect.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A-BEL331stDibs: LU4805115286091

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