Irish Belleek Parian Porcelain Collection

Story

Founded in 1857 in a small Irish village to create local employment after the Great Famine, Belleek utilized local clay deposits to produce a porcelain so thin and translucent it rivaled the finest Chinese imports. This collection represents the triumph of Irish craftsmanship, turning local clay into internationally coveted art.

Maker / Origin

Belleek Pottery was established by John Caldwell Bloomfield, who discovered rich mineral deposits on his estate in County Fermanagh. He partnered with architect Robert Williams Armstrong and merchant David McBirney to build a state-of-the-art pottery. The company quickly gained royal patronage and international acclaim for its incredibly thin, eggshell-like parian ware and lustrous glazes.

Condition & Value

The pieces appear to be in good cosmetic condition with the characteristic pearlescent glaze intact. The hand-woven lattice basket must be inspected under magnification for tiny hairline cracks or missing petals, as even minor damage to these delicate structures can reduce their individual value by 50% or more.