Northern Irish Tea Sets

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 rare and gorgeous Belleek cabaret tea service for four in the green Neptune design made by Belleek. The various pieces were made between 1863 and 1926, with most of them between 1891 and 1946. The service consists of a teapot, four teacups, saucers and cake plates, a milk jug and a sugar bowl, all placed on a large tray. Most items carry the 2nd Black Mark that was used between 1891 and 1926; the tray carries the 1st Black Mark, printed in black as well as impressed, that was used between 1863 and 1890; and the sugar bowl carries the 3rd Black Mark that was used between 1926 and 1946. 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 diseases caused by mono culture. 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. 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. The Neptune series is one of the most classic and popular designs Belleek has made and could be found in many Irish households. Many Belleek designs are inspired by nature rather than by fashion: there are sea shells, froth, kelp, tree roots and bark, corals and woven baskets. The Neptune series is entirely inspired by the sea. Each detail is true to the concept; the surface is wonderfully fluted like the waves of the sea, and the little feet of each item, as well as the finial of the teapot are shaped like shells. The handles are made like coral. The belly of the teapot is shaped like the waves of the sea, with the froth of the surf coming around the shoulder of the pot. And of course the colour is like the beautiful green of the Irish Sea on a stormy day. This set takes you into the Irish Sea, and it never fails to inspire your imagination. The tea service is made in a beautiful cream-white colour with a mint green wash. As every Belleek collector knows, no two items are exactly the same, so there are small variances, which make it all the more charming. DOCUMENTATION: an image of a very similar but smaller cabaret set in pink can be found on page 49 of Richard Degenhardt's Belleek - The Complete Collector's Guide and Illustrated Reference. An image of a similar smaller cabaret set in green can be found on page 121 of Marion Langham's "Belleek Irish...

This is a beautiful teacup and saucer in the Grass design. Both items carry the 1st Black Mark, which was used between 1863 and 1891. This teacup has a very narrow shape, as was fash...

This is a very charming small mug made by Belleek in the Shamrock design. It has the 3rd Black Mark, which was used between 1926 and 1946. The mug is fine and small - it would hold a...

This is a very charming Belleek demitasse cup and saucer in the Shamrock design with the 3rd Black Mark, which was used between 1926 and 1946. These demitasse cups are rare so this is a great opportunity - and this would make a wonderful little gift to a coffee lover! 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...

This is a rare and gorgeous Belleek cabaret tea service, or dejeuner set, in the famous Shamrock design, consisting of a teapot, two teacups and saucers, a milk jug, a sugar bowl, and a salt and pepper, all placed on a large matching tray. It is extremely rare to come across an entire cabaret set of these antique items, particularly when in such good condition, so this is a rare opportunity! 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...

This is a rare and gorgeous Belleek cabaret tea service for four in the green Neptune design made by Belleek some time between 1891 and 1926, most probably...

Antique sterling silver Irish three-piece tea service set Maker: Hopkin & Hopkins Made in Dublin, 1917 Fully hallmarked. Dimensions: Sugar bowl - Weight 218g - Base width 7....

This is a Belleek teacup trio consisting of a teacup, saucer, and a side plate. It was made in the famous Echinus series brought out in 1867; this is one of the very rare but very de...

This is a Belleek teacup quartet consisting of a teacup, saucer, side plate and large plate. It was made in the famous Echinus series brought out in 1867; this is one of the very rar...

This is teapot made by Belleek between 1891 and 1926. It is made in the wonderful "Hexagon" shape in blush green. 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 problematic due to the diseases caused by mono culture, which 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. 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. You can find the original Belleek factory at the banks of the river Erne that forms the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. The Hexagon series is one of those very striking designs Belleek came up with. Everything about it is hexagonal, without making you feel it is angular at all because it is all flowing beautifully. Belleek designs are inspired by nature rather than by fashion: there are roots, branches and sea shells, and the Hexagon series has shipping ropes as the teapot handle and the starkly fluted shoulder of the teapot seems to be made of sails that are flapping in the wind. The porcelain is a beautiful cream colour with a blush of green, creating a very fine hue. And the china, as most Belleek china...

This exceptionally-designed teapot is decorated with endlessly repeating Celtic Tracery. In the front, there is a finely engraved family crest, consisting of the jagged ancient Irish royal...