Posted 7 years ago
live.eclec…
(63 items)
If the images look a little weird, it's because I stitched them together the best I could from about 10 photos I took with my phone. I currently have 2 large cases and 2 small cases full of my personal collection. I have another case of duplicates or newer stuff not pictured.
My focus on Belleek is pre-1950s. For items from Ireland's Belleek that means periods 1-3 which would be roughly 1850s to 1940s. For American Belleek (Coxon, Gordon, Lenox, et al.) that would be roughly 1860s to 1940s. Many American Belleek companies were only in business less than 10 years, which makes finding their work particularly difficult (Perlee, I'm looking at you!). I also collect items outside those periods if they are limited edition or unique in some way.
I plan on photographing each piece individually, but it takes time since I think I'm at about 200 pieces, which is surprising since I've really only been collecting for maybe 2 years.
In the first picture (top left) there is some Cone tea ware (2nd period) with some Shell plates (3rd period) behind them. To the left (still on top) is Mask tea ware (2nd and 3rd period). Next shelf down on left is a bunch of Grass tea ware (1st period) with random Hexagon, Neptune, and Erne tea ware (1st - 3rd periods) to the right. Third shelf down to the left is Shamrock tea ware (2nd and 3rd periods) with Thorn and Echinus tea ware (1st and 2nd periods) to the right (they are all on a 1st period Neptune tray). On the bottom shelf is my darling Erin (Figure of Erin) near front center (1st period in pristine condition); to her right is a Bird Tree Stump Vase (1st period in pristine condition); between the two is a male and female Belgain Hawker (2nd period). Bottom right is some early Belleek earthenware - back is an 18" 1st period platter with a jelly mould front left and a hot water covered dish to the right.
In the second picture is some of my newer items that I haven't found from the first 3 periods, limited edition items, and other American belleek items. On the plate rails top and bottom shelves are Belleek Christmas plates - one is issued per year since 1970; I have up to 1989. Top shelf has 4th - 6th period items such as a Nile Vase, Dolphin Spill, and Limpet coffee pot. Second shelf has the Belleek Collector's Society version of the Chinese tea ware (one day I WILL find an earlier period version!). Bottom shelf has various baskets from Celtic Weave and the far left there is a Coxon Belleek plate (c1930s) with Columbian Art Pottery monk jug and mugs on the right (circa late 1800s).
The third picture has all my creamer, sugar, salts, various smaller plates and dishes, and most vases from 1st to 3rd periods. Also some plaques that are limited edition items and smaller baskets from the 1st and 2nd periods.
Nice collection-I love the Erin Figurine!! She is stunning!
@Mrstyndall Thanks! I just got her this last week from an auction in Canada. In a 2004 newsletter, the UK Belleek Collector's Society published a good article on her: http://www.belleek.org.uk/Research%20Page/Research%20Wares/Erin.pdf
Lucky you:))-were all of these made in the 1800's or do they still make these figurines today. I didn't really know that Bellerk made anything this grand or had any figure type pieces like that.
All 1st period pieces I have were made between 1863 and 1890; 2nd period between 1891 and 1926; and 3rd period between 1926 and 1946.
They make even grander pieces. I don't think Erin's been made for quite some time unless they released a Collector's Society piece I haven't seen.
Here is my absolute favorite piece: http://kammteapotfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Belleek97.116.jpg
Probably their most grand piece ever: http://www.belleek.com/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/900x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/0/9/09201_international_centrepiece.jpg
It was originally produce for the 1900 Paris Exhibition and as far as I know have only ever produced maybe 4 dozen of them.
Wow-didn't realize it was that rare!! Sounds like you have a treasure on your hands :) thanks for the new knowledge for me on Belleek
An excellent collection, only 2 years old!
I can see so much there to look at and look forward to your future posts.
In the first image, fourth shelf down, love the Echinus tea pot for one. I saw that sugar bowl next to it (or one just like it) at auction. Does it have a mark? I didn't think it was Irish Belleek since I've never seen a take on the Echinus pattern quite like that in any reference book, but you never know.
@upscalebohemian - no, no marks on that piece and I don't think it's Irish Belleek either, but it looked so much like Echinus that I bought it anyway. There's also a piece 2 shelves up from there, far right - a small "neptune" cup that has no mark (and is actually quite heavy for a small piece). It's right at the outer edge of the tray. Looks so much like neptune - I think it was $2 or something so I bought it anyway.
The Neptune-like cup you mentioned is a knockoff of Belleek's Neptune pattern made by Galluba & Hoffman Porcelain Co. of Ilmenau Thuringia Germany.
I see the creamer and sugar in this pattern more than anything else.
One person 0nce wrote of this company:
"They produced wares from the middle 1880s to 1927. They're most known for their ‘naughty nudies’ and porcelain dolls heads," but this set was still in production after that and often had cheap commemorative writing on it of the type one sees in seaside souvenir shops.
It's collectable as a curiosity, but not much more. (Real antique Belleek, as you know, is more refined and of a much higher quality, and it’s so thin you can see the shape of your fingers through it.)
Usually a search for Galluba shell cup will show some results. Try Galluba shell sugar too.
Here's one with shamrocks on it, even. :)
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/belleek-style-galluba-hofmann-germany-291109765
Ah, awesome information on the "Neptune" piece. It's quite heavy compared to actual Belleek. The "Echinus" piece is very white especially when compared to a Belleek piece.
Here's the creamer and sugar in that Neptune pattern knockoff from Galluba & Hoffman in Germany. The seller thinks it's Belleek and I'm too lazy to correct them. :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Belleek-Porcelain-Shell-Creamer-Sugar-Bowl-/322476360415?hash=item4b1516c2df:g:bAEAAOSwU8hY54Nt