Description: Irish Belleek porcelain part Tea Set -Second Black Mark - 1891-1926. Ref. C/108
Maker: Belleek, Ireland
Date: This design (Neptune) was originally produced from about 1880 and the part tea set on offer is thought to date back to the mid 1890s. It shows the Second mark used from 1891- 1926 with the addition of a ribbon surrounding the lower half of the design for the first mark on which appears the words "CO FERMANAGH IRELAND"
History: John Caldwell Bloomfield, in 1849, ordered a geological survey of his estate in Ireland. On finding it rich in minerals suitable for pottery, he formed the company and in 1858 started the production of domestic wares. By 1863, the now famous parian porcelain was produced and the company started to diversify, marketing their products world wide. Queen Victoria fell in love with the Belleek designs and soon nobility were placing huge orders.
The Neptune Tea-set - Katie Armstrong designed the Neptune tea-set in the early 1870s. Katie was the daughter of Robert Williams Armstrong, one of the founders of the Pottery. It is said that she did get help from her mother to design the Neptune tea-set but that the Periwinkle feet were entirely her own work. In the years since then the Neptune set has become one of the most iconic of Belleek tea sets with its distinctive Periwinkle shell feet and Coral Handles. This part tea set is a wonderful example of Belleek ceramics. This particular design is named Neptune and was produced from about 1880. It is named after Neptune, in Roman mythology the god of the sea, and its design incorporates large sea shells as cups, the common limpet with coral for a handle and small pond snail shells for feet.
Marks/Observations: This part tea set consists of three cups and saucers, a milk jug and a sugar basin. This extraordinarily fine Irish eggshell porcelain (roughly just 1 mm thick) has an unusually high amount of "frit" and therefore is thinner and finer than any other china. On the base of each item we find the Belleek backstamp. All the articles show a green glaze around the edges and small black spots due to the dust from the wood or coal kilns used, attest to their age.
Condition: All pieces are in perfect condition with no cracks, chips or scratches
Dimensions: Cups Height 4.7 cm, diameter 6.5 cm, saucers height 1.0 cm diameter 11.0, jug height at spout 7.6 cm width 7.7 cm length 10.8 cm, sugar bowl height 4.7 cm, width 9.2 cm
Price:R1200.00
Shipping: R140.00 By Postnet couriers.
Please note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject.
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE.
Terms: We offer a strict three-day approval period from the date the parcel reaches you. Refunds/credits are based on the cost of the article, NOT including delivery charges. Please advise us within this period whether you would like to return any article for a refund/credit. Although we pride ourselves in our packing, the buyer remains responsible for loss, non-arrival or damage to goods being sent to, or returned.
