Irish Furniture

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...

An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...

Originally this pair of elegant oval-shaped Paris porcelain pierced baskets (corbeilles) were used in a table setting to hold fruit. Their timeless beauty will enhance any room. Th...

This is a very charming coffee cup trio made by Belleek in the Shamrock design, consisting of a coffee cup, a saucer and a little cake plate. It has the 2nd Black Mark, which was used between 1891 and 1926. Given the quality of the porcelain we think the date of production is probably closer to 1891 than 1926. 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...

Limoges porcelain pillow vase the perfect answer to decorating a narrow space, such as mantel place. Hand-painted floral and Cacti decoration. The handles...

A Belleek four-strand oval basket 20th century Oval basket with a waved loop rim applied with sprigs of flowers, impressed banner mark. Note: Restoration to four loops, as i...

A tall porcelain flower vase with an organic and fabric-like surface. Clear glazed applied on interior surface. As a result of the production process each vase is one-of-a-kind. Th...

This is a Royal Copenhagen porcelain sugar bowl with lid. It has a white background and it is hand painted with a blue bouquet of flowers in the center...

A cream or water jug / pitcher with knobbed twig handle and moulded foliage under the beak, decorated in a pale green ground with a finely painted landscape on one side and rich flow...

Monolithic in shape and defined by their single vertical seams, the Kawa Vessels are fluid & expressive. Their construction method really shines light on their unique production tech...

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...

Rosenthal Sanssouci coffee pot, sugar bowl and cream jug. Hand-painted flowers, foliage in relief and gold edge. 1950s. The coffee pot measures:...