London - Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

An elegant antique Victorian silverplated antler horn serving set, by the renowned master cutlers, Isaac Ellis & Sons, Sheffield,  Circa 1880 in date. This impressive set includes a...

Extensive service of 19th century 81 piece Copeland Spode tablewares, with patterned borders and red-lined rims, with impressed marks for Copeland Spode. Consisting of : 22 x Dinner...

A magnificent and rare fully restored antique Art Deco silver plate  serving cart, circa 1930 in date. Serve your roast beef in style!! This stunning trolley is suitable for servin...

This is a beautiful tea bowl and saucer made by Derby in about 1785. The set has the very amazing and desired "artichoke" moulding and a bright turquoise ground with the white artic...

Vintage Coco de mer container decorative arts décor A coco de mer nut from the Seychelles islands carved on the back side to make a decorative contai...

A superb and rare complete Elizabeth II walnut cased, 117 piece, twelve place canteen of flatware cutlery, in the elegant Kings pattern, retailed by Harrods Knightsbridge London and bearing hallmarks for Sheffield, 1963 and the makers mark of  Gee & Holmes. Comprising: twelve table forks, twelve dessert forks, twelve dessert spoons, twelve soup spoons, twelve teaspoons, twelve fish knives with silver blades twelve fish forks with silver tines, twelve table forks, twelve dessert knives six table spoons three piece fork set  All contained in the original superb fitted walnut canteen box with hinged lid and a single fitted drawer and custom fitted in blue felt. It bears the label "Harrods Ltd Cutlers & Silversmiths, Knightsbridge, S.W." This is the complete set, it is highly unusual to find such a nice patterned set with not even a single piece missing! Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 19 cm x Width 50 cm x Depth 35.5 cm  - Canteen case Weight 5.44 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 2 inches - Canteen case Weight 175 troy oz Harrods founder Charles Henry Harrod first established his business in 1824, aged 25. The business was located south of the River Thames in Southwark. The premises were located at 228 Borough High Street. He ran this business, variously listed as a draper, mercer and a haberdasher, certainly until 1831. During 1825 the business was listed as 'Harrod and Wicking, Linen Drapers, Retail', but this partnership was dissolved at the end of that year. His first grocery business appears to be as ‘Harrod & Co.Grocers’ at 163 Upper Whitecross Street, Clerkenwell, E.C.1., in 1832. In 1834 in London's East End, he established a wholesale grocery in Stepney, at 4, Cable Street, with a special interest in tea. In 1849, to escape the vice of the inner city and to capitalise on trade to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in nearby Hyde Park, Harrod took over a small shop in the district of Brompton, on the site of the current store. Beginning in a single room employing two assistants and a messenger boy, Harrod's son Charles Digby Harrod built the business into a thriving retail operation selling medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruit and vegetables. Harrods rapidly expanded, acquired the adjoining buildings, and employed one hundred people by 1880. However, the store's booming fortunes were reversed in early December 1883, when it burnt to the ground. Remarkably, in view of this calamity, Charles Harrod fulfilled all of his commitments to his customers to make Christmas deliveries that year—and made a record profit in the process. In short order, a new building was built on the same site, and soon Harrods extended credit for the first time to its best customers, among them Oscar Wilde,Lillie Langtry, Ellen Terry, Charlie Chaplin, Noël Coward, Gertrude Lawrence, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Sigmund Freud, A. A. Milne, and many members of the British Royal Family.  On Wednesday, 16 November 1898, Harrods debuted England's first "moving staircase" (escalator) in their Brompton Road stores; the device was actually a woven leather conveyor belt-like unit with a wood and "silver plate-glass" balustrade. Nervous customers were offered brandy at the top to revive them after their 'ordeal'. The department store was purchased by the Fayed brothers in 1985. In 2010 Harrods was sold to Qutar Holdings.  Harrods was the holder of royal warrants from 1910 till 2000 from the following: * Queen Elizabeth II (Provisions and Household Goods) * The Duke of Edinburgh (Outfitters) * The Prince of Wales (Outfitters and Saddlers) * The late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (China and Glass) The store occupies a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site and has over one million square feet (90,000 m2) of selling space in over 330 departments making it the biggest department store in Europe. The UK's second-biggest shop, Selfridges, Oxford Street, is a little over half the size with 540,000 square feet (50,000 m2) of selling space, while the third largest, Allders of Croydon had 500,000 square feet (46,000 m2) of retail space. By comparison Europe's second-largest department store the KaDeWe in Berlin has a retail space of 650,000 square feet (60,000 m2). GEE & HOLMES LTD This enterprise can be traced to the registration of Thomas Raynes Ltd as a private limited company in 1935.   Capitalised at £1,000, it was based at 39 Eyre Street, and dealt in cutlery and various tools.  The subscribers were brothers: James Fairclough Gee (1899-1974) and Reginald L. Gee (1913-?).    They had been born at St Helens, Lancashire, the sons of James Gee (1868-1948) – an insurance superintendent – and his wife, Agnes née Fairclough.  In 1939, James and Reginald Gee were living with their parents at 47 Brooklands Crescent.  They were described in the Register of England & Wales (1939) as cutlery manufacturers.  Also residing at Brooklands Crescent (62) was Leonard Wycliffe Holmes (1901-1989), his wife Florence, and their son, James Geoffrey (1932-1985).  Leonard had been born in Sheffield, the son of John Clement Holmes (a steel and iron turner) and his wife, Bertha née Shelton.  Leonard apparently received a technical education, as in 1920 he co-presented a paper on electro-plating  at Mappin Hall.  He held an Associateship in Metallurgy from Sheffield University (Sheffield Daily Independent, 19 November 1920).  Leonard and Florence had been married at a Wadsley Church in 1927: she was the sister of James F. Gee.  In 1939, Leonard was working as a commercial traveller in cutlery.   During the Second World War, Thomas Raynes Ltd was listed at 41 Arundel Street – the same address as cutlery manufacturer, L. Holmes & Co.   The Hawley Collection has a stainless table knife marked ‘L. Holmes & Co’, which was probably made at this time.   Thomas Raynes Ltd became the vehicle for a new business entity – Gee & Holmes Ltd – which initially occupied 41 Arundel Street.  In an advertisement in 1946, the partners announced that they would be moving into a new factory at 61 Eyre Lane in early 1947.  The two-storey factory, which became known as Heritage Works, was bounded by Eyre Lane and Newton Lane.  Gee and Holmes...

A rare and complete Elizabeth II, 127 piece 12 place setting Kings Pattern sterling silver table-service, bearing hallmarks for 1978 and the mak...

Wonderful Art Deco cast chrome metal ashtray, featuring an athletic man with a ball. Height 21 cm / 8.26 inches, and the ashtray measures 21 cm / 8.26 inches by 12.8 cm / 5 inches. ...

This is a large Vintage silver plated Monteith punch bowl dating from the late 20th Century. The punch bowl can also double as an excellent wine cooler for 5 or 6 bottles . It is t...

A very rare Mathieu Mategot wine bottle carrier. Visible signs of rust and paint loss but no structural issues. Could be refinished if one wanted to restore it. Sold as seen in origi...

'Pichet Espagnol' ceramic piece from the Madoura Pottery (A.R. 245) by Pablo Picasso (1954). A fired, unglazed ceramic pitcher in the form of a stylise...

This is a beautiful Vintage Solingen 69 piece 12 place settings canteen of 24kt gold plated cutlery, from Germany, and late 20th century in date.   The set is made in the delightful Golden Affection pattern and is complete and cased in its original fitted case.   The set comprises:   12 x Main Forks 12 x Main Knives 12 x Soup Spoons 12 x Tea Spoons 12 x Cake Forks 2 x Gravy Ladles 2 x Serving Spoons 1 x Soup Ladle 2 x Pickle Forks 1 x Sugar Spoons 1x Cake Slicer   Add an elegant touch to your dining experience with this wonderful set.   Condition: This set is in really excellent unused condition please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 10 cm x Width 45 cm x Depth 31 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 4 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 1 foot Solingen Cutlery...

This is a beautiful pair of Derby figures called the "Garland Shepherds", made in about 1765. The pair is one of Derby's most famous figure pairs and it bears the catalogue number E2...

This is an iconic chromium plated classic car radiator spirit decanter in the form of a Bentley radiator with screw cap, late 20th century in date. These were sold by high end retai...

Hallmarked in Chester in 1933 by S. Blanckensee & Son Ltd., this stylish, George V period, Sterling Silver 4 Piece Tea Set, is in the art deco taste, with angular sides and feet, and...

Vintage English metal ice bucket or cachepot (circa 1930s). Lion motif handles accent this interesting vintage piece with grape bunch motif. The piece...

Italian glass 'Scavo' vase by Alfredo Barbini, Murano (circa 1970s). This vase has a rounded triangular opening. Scavo glass indicates that the glass went through a specific glass fi...

This is a wonderful and rare English George III antique sterling silver coffee pot on stand by  the world famous silversmith Paul Storr. It...

This is a superb porcelain & ormolu mounted Zell Hammersbach vase, with makers mark and dated 1882. This vase comes from the small German town of Zell am Harmersbach, between the Bl...

This is a gorgeous vintage silver plated wine cooler, dating from the late 20th Century.. An intricate grapevine pattern decorates the handles, the base, and the rim. There is ...

This is a magnificent very large antique English Old Sheffield silver plated beef or venison tureen with the original domed cover, circa 1810 in date and bearing the Cross Arrows mar...

Heavy hand made art glass bowl in a beautiful bronze and green colourway. The bowl has a lovely curved organic shape. It is in very good condition. Measures: diameter 23 cm / 9 inche...

This is a gorgeous vintage silver plated champagne cooler that can hold over 6 bottles, dating from the late 20th Century. This exquisite punch bowl has a beautiful and incredibly d...

Fine traditionally hand-crafted and turned Oak half Yakisugi platter - bowl. These are handmade to the very best quality in London using traditional techniq...

This is a highly decorative antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, circa 1880 in date. It has a beau...

Mappin & Webb Silver Plated & Ruby Glass Bee Honey Pot Circa 1960 This novelty honey pot cast as a large honey Bee with textured legs and silver plated body has a pair of hinged wing...

This is a beautiful large plate made by Worcester in about 1770 in their First or the "Dr Wall" period. The plate has a pleasing slightly lobed rim, a white ground and beautifully pa...

'Tall Wrap Around Vessel' is a unique porcelain sculpture by the British artist, Olivia Walker. Walker works in porcelain to create pieces that explore ideas of growth and decay thr...

This is a wonderful English antique George III sterling silver 10 inch salver, by the world famous silversmith Paul Storr. It has clear hallmarks for London 1811 and the makers mark of Paul Storr. It is typical of his work with the raised gadrooned rim with anthemion at intervals, on four fabulous foliate bracket feet. The salver is engraved with a crest and motto and the underside is later engraved Charlotte J. Parke from C. J. Parke, March 1893' The centre is engraved with a crest above a motto 'True and Fast' and I have researched this crest: The Crest of Parke The crest as engraved upon this George III English Sterling Silver Footed Salver by Paul Storr hallmarked London 1811 is that of the family of Parke. It may be blazoned as follows: Crest: A stag’s head couped sable holding in the mouth a key or Motto: True and fast The family of Parke originally hailed from the County of Cumberland in the northeast of England1 later settling in the County of Dorset at Henbury House, Sturminster Marshal, near Wimborne. Given the evidence of the inscription found on the underside of the salver ‘Charlotte J. Parke from C. J. Parke, March 1893’ it was undoubtedly at one time in the possession of Charles Joseph Parke (died 9th March 1893) of Henbury House aforesaid and gifted to Charlotte Josephine Parke (baptised 4th January 1857 died 2nd January 1941) his third daughter by his wife, Ellen Mary Ethelston. I would venture the following hypothesis that the salver was bequeathed to Charlotte in her father’s will that was granted probate at London on the 20th May 1893. The ‘March 1893’ of the inscription acts as a remembrance of the month of the death of her father. It was noted that Charlotte’s father left an estate worth some £66,892, 19 shillings and one pence, a very considerable sum in the last decade of the 19th Century and even thereafter. Charlotte never married and was living at the time of her death at The Coppice, Sixpenny Handley in the County of Dorset. Her will was proved for probate at Llandudno on the 25th March 1941. She left an estate worth £18,866, 10 shillings and 4 pence. Again, a comfortable sum in 1941. See the photo of Henbury House, Sturminster Marshal, near Wimborne, Co. Dorset. The former seat of the Parke family. The house was destroyed by fire, the remains of which were demolished in the 1990's. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. Condition: In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 2 x Width 26.5 x Depth 26.5 Weight 0.69 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 1 inch x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches Weight 1.5 lbs Paul Storr born in London England in 1771, was to become one of the most talented silversmiths of the nineteenth century. Today his legacy of exceptionally well crafted silver, found worldwide in museums and private collections, leaves one in awe when compared to that of his contemporaries.After having served a seven year apprenticeship from the age of 14, he began his career in 1792 when he went into a brief partnership with William Frisbee. This did not last and in 1793 a new mark, (his initials ‘P S’) was entered. By the beginning of the nineteenth century he had established himself as one of London’s top silversmiths producing, amongst others, commissions for Royalty. In 1801 he married Elizabeth Susanna Beyer with whom he was to have ten children. In 1807 Paul Storr entered into a working relationship with Philip Rundell and by 1811 was a partner, and managing the workshops for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. During this period he kept his own marks and separate workshop. However it was through Rundell, Bridge & Rundell who were appointed Goldsmith in Ordinary to George III in 1804 that his reputation as a master silversmith grew. His talents lay in being able to transform ideas and designs from Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’s designers, William Theed...

This is an important fine Sèvres porcelain breafast cup and saucer with a footed sugar bowl dating from the mid 19th Century. The cup saucer & bowl all feature the gilt crowned N cipher with gilt line borders on a white ground and the undersides bearing the red Imperial crowned N Sèvres mark with date letters for 1855 and 1860. This is sure to be a treasured addition to your home. Condition: Both cup saucer and bowl are in very good condition with no signs of damage or restoration and the gilding is crisp. Dimensions in cm: height 9 x width 16 x depth 12 - cup height 3.6 x width 18 x depth 18 - saucer height 7.5 x width 14 x depth 14 - bowl Dimensions in inches: height 3 inches x width 6 inches x depth 5 inches - cup height 1 inch x width 7 inches x depth 7 inches - saucer height 3 inches x width 5 inches x depth 5 inches - bowl Louis was king of France when the monarchy was overthrown during the French Revolution. He was guillotined in 1793. Louis was born at Versailles on 23 August 1754. In 1770, he married Marie Antoinette, daughter of the emperor and empress of Austria...

This is a delightful and decorative vintage blue and white ironstone china planter which will look fabulous with plants and flowers but is also i...

Astrolabio series 2 of 2 ceramic and gold dishes by Piero Fornasetti. Italian with original malachite print decorated boxes.

This is a magnificent and rare, Kaymet silver plated serving trolley with revolving dome, dating from the mid 20th Century. ​It is one of the most desirable models that they made, with the revolving dome which makes it very easy to use. This stunning trolley is suitable for serving cooked meats such as roast beef, lamb and turkey. It features a vented silver plated locking retractable revolving dome which opens to a detachable well and water tank over a pair of spirit burners. The water tank has two recesses for containers for gravy or vegetables, as well as a wooden carving board. It has a vented screw knob for filling the tank with water and for vapour or steam to escape. The sides are fitted with silver plated handles, a detachable plate holder, and a rectangular wooden utensil...

An attractive silver model of the Queen's coronation coach, hallmarked for Birmingham 1977, with the makers mark for Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd on a red velvet base. Gold State Coa...

This is a very attractive antique pair of Italian silver plated fighting cockerels, circa 1920 in date. These beautifully sculpted and hand-chased fine textured cockerels are in realistic aggressive and dynamic fighting poses with flowing plumage and open wings ready to attack. They will add a touch of action to your dining table, game table or buffet. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 20 cm x Width 16 cm x Depth 15 cm Height 19 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 16 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 8 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 6 inches Height 7 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 6 inches A cockfight is a sport between two roosters (cocks), or more accurately gamecocks, held in a ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000 years. The first documented use of the word gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a “game”, a sport,pastime or entertainment, was recorded in 1646, after the term “cock of the game” used by George Wilson, in the earliest known book on the sport of cockfighting in The Commendation of Cocks and Cock Fighting in 1607. But it was during Magellan's voyage of discovery of the Philippines in 1521 when modern cockfighting was first witnessed and documented by AntonioPigafetta, Magellan's chronicler, in the kingdom of Taytay. The combatants, referred to as gamecocks, are specially bred birds, conditioned for increased stamina and strength. The comb and wattle are cut off in order to meet show standards of the American Gamefowl Society and the Old English Game...

This is an elegant and useful Vintage silver plated accessory set for your bar, dating from the late 20th Century.. It has a corkscrew, a bottle opener, an ice scoop and a double me...

A glazed pottery vide poche by Madeleine Bruault for Poterie de la Colomvr Vallauris.

This is an exceptional antique English Neo-classical Revival silver plated wine cooler bearing the makers mark of the renowned English silversmith Elkington, dated 1873.   The wine c...

This is an exquisite antique French Napoleon III Bacarrat ormolu and glass Cave a Liqueur, or tantalus, circa 1860 in date. The Cave a Liqueur features an ormolu case with glass panels and an 'up and over' lid enclosing a gilt bronze frame containing sixteen small glasses and four decanters with stoppers, on all on finely cast paw feet. One decanter with a Bacarrat label to the underside The glasses and decanters are beautifully engraved with geometric decoration. As seen in the upcoming Ridley Scott historical film Napoleon. It is an absolutely superb set which is sure to attract a lot of attention. Condition: In really excellent condition with no damage, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 29 x width 37 x depth 30 Dimensions in inches: Height 11 inches x width 1 foot, 3 inches x depth 1 foot Baccarat In 1764 King Louis XV of France gave permission to found a glassworks in the town of Baccarat in the Lorraine region in eastern France to Prince Bishop Cardinal Louis-Joseph de Laval...

Silver plated hot water jug by WAS Benson (Stamped on Handle).

A truly superb antique English George III Old Sheffield plate wine / champagne cooler, Circa 1810 in date. This highly versatile cooler features the "silver on copper" Sheffield Eng...

This is a very rare and stunning cabaret "solitaire" tea set, serving one. The set was made by the Flight & Barr factory in Worcester between 1792 and 1804, and it consists of a larg...

This is a beautiful small deep plate made by Worcester in about 1770 in their First or the "Dr Wall" period. It is a small, lobed dish with a deep green ground, elegant tooled gildin...

Set of 5 Fornasetti ceramic /gold plates “Grandi Maestri” series. Ceramic plate by Piero Fornasetti of the series ” Grandi Maestri ” Music Great Masters. Ceramic, silk screen prin...

Hallmarked in London in 1927 by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., this handsome, George V period, Sterling Silver Trophy, is in the art deco taste, with reed borders around the handles,...

For sale is the iconic Postmodern 'Model 5074' Oil & Vinegar set, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Alessi, Italy in 1978 (this is a more recent edition). Released in the ...

This is a stunning large antique French Sevres cobalt blue hand painted porcelain and ormolu-mounted vase circa 1880 in date, later converted into a lamp. The vase shaped porcelai...

This is a wonderful vintage 50 piece tea, coffee service by Royal Albert China, the design is called Old Country Roses, Circa 1960 in date. It is beautifully made of fine bone china porcelain with hand enamelled floral decoration. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. The set comprises : 1 x Large Coffeepot with lid 1 x Large Teapot with lid 1 x Large Milk Jug 1x Small Milk Jug 1 x Open Sugar bowl 1x Lidded Sugar Bowl 12 x Tea / Coffee Cups & Saucers 12 x Cake Plates 2 x Large Cake Platter 1 x Canapé Platter 2x Large Strawberry Bowls Condition: It is offered in truly excellent condition and appears to have rarely if ever been used. Dimensions in cm: height 3 x width 27 x depth 25 - cake platter Dimensions in inches: height 1 inch x width 11 inches x depth 10 inches - cake platter Launched in 1962 Old Country Roses was designed by Harold Holdcroft and introduced in 1962. Its flamboyant design was inspired by the riot of colour and assortment of flowers in a typical English cottage garden, and especially by fragrant roses in full bloom. Harold used both rich and soft colours combining lush deep red roses with warmth from a peach tea rose and delicacy from the blush pink, and accentuated the composition with rich green foliage. Brilliant gold stippling and 22-carat gilded rims complete the design creating one of the most exuberant expressions of Royal Albert's acclaimed century-long, floral tradition. Overwhelmingly popular throughout the world, Old Country Roses is regarded as the epitome of fine English teaware. Company History Wild (Thomas C. Wild (& Co.)) (1896–1917) Thomas Clarke Wild joined his father, Thomas Wild, in the purchase of the Albert Works, Longton in 1895, and the partnership manufactured bone china teaware as Thomas C. Wild & Co. Wild became sole proprietor on the death of his father in 1898 and from 1905 to 1917 the business traded simply as ‘Thomas C. Wild’. The St Mary’s Works, Longton, was purchased from Bernard Moore in 1905 and used initially for decoration of the products manufactured at the nearby Albert Works. As Wild’s business prospered he acquired other factories and pottery businesses, the Park Place Works was acquired in about 1910, followed by the Royal Albert China Works in 1917, the Shore & Coggins Ltd business (and Edensor Works) in 1918 and that of William Lowe...

This is a highly decorative antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, the base bearing the makers' mark of the renowned silversmiths Fenton Brothers of Sheffield, England, circa 1890 in date and bearing the Staniforth's Patent mark as well as the registration number 4467. It has a beautifully shaped body sitting in a cast frame with remarkably chased branch supports and the original interior features elegant hand-pierced dividers. It opens out into two halves and is held shut by gorgeous laurel wreath loose ring handles at the top. This wonderful container could house anything from sweets to biscuits or trinkets. Whatever you choose to store in this lovely item you are sure to do it in style. Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique item, the piece shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the biscuit box displays beautifully, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 25 x width 23 x depth 14 Dimensions in inches: Height 9.8 x width 9.1 x depth 5.5 Fenton Brothers LTD, Sheffield Firm established in 1875 at South Moor Works, East Street, Sheffield by John Frederick Fenton...

This is an iconic chromium plated classic car radiator spirit decanter in the form of a Bugatti radiator,  shaped as the distinctive horseshoe Bugatti radiator with cap, late 20th ce...

This is a fabulous pair of figures of Liberty and Matrimony made by the Bow Porcelain factory between 1760 and 1764. These figures were a popular pair portraying marriage. The bow...

An extremely rare WMF silver plated cutlery set for 24 persons in the original Art Nouveau cabinet with silver plated organic stylised mounts and the complete original Art Nouveau cutlery...

This is a small, pear-shaped ice bucket from the 1960s by Teghini Firenze, a renowned Italian metalwork company known for its elegant mid-century designs. The ice bucket is made of...

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...

Fluid, filet-de-verre (fused and thermo-formed coloured glass threads) in green and shaded blue 'water' colours Signed 'Z' on base.

This is a very impressive English Vintage silver plated three section mirrored plateau in the Victorian style, with beautiful fret gallery, also know in French as a "Surtout de table...

This is a gorgeous Vintage silver plated caviar and champagne / vodka cooler set. It comprises four glass caviar dishes and silver plated covers, a champagne/wine cooler in the centr...

A stunning Elkington & Co, 19th century silver plated and silver gilt Dolphin & Clam Shell Open Salt cellar Dating to the latter part of the 19th century. This is a really fine examp...