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Belleek Porcelain

Ranked #9,008 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #117,092 overall

In Introduction to Belleek Porcelain

One of the easiest porcelain manufacturers to identify on sight is Belleek. This is actually a good thing, because it means their product is enough different from other mainstream porcelain makers that you know it when you see it. The body of this porcelain is cream colored, and the surface is usually NOT smooth, being in a basket weave or other dimensional form. Any color added to the piece after it is formed is usually applied sparsely to emphasize features formed into the body of the piece, like shamrocks, or added decoration like flowers. Belleek dinnerware is usually very light, thin and translucent. Decorative pieces are usually a little heavier to withstand time and tiny hands.

Note: Almost all Belleek is marked and the progression of marks well documented. This makes collecting Belleek very easy, as far as weeding out imitators is concerned. The books below and other sources show the marks and the years they were used.

In This Lens:

  1. Shamrocks
  2. Belleek Neptune China
  3. Other Belleek China Patterns
  4. Belleek in the China Category
  5. Belleek Henshall Baskets
  6. Belleek Decorative Items
  7. Books About Belleek
  8. Do You Own A Belleek?
  9. Other Web Sites About Belleck or Porcelain

Shamrocks

Most suitable for Irish porcelain, Belleek has a whole range of items decorated with shamrocks. Other than their imitators, which they do have, Belleek may be the only porcelain company that uses shamrocks as one of their main design elements. For those of us who like this motif, it is nice that there is someone who always has new items with the little three-leaf clover design.
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Belleek Neptune China

Belleek has also created tea sets based on forms found in the sea. The flat pieces are reminiscent of surface pattern of sea urchins and the rounded pieces have shell-like surfaces and sit on sea shell feet. Pieces with feet, like the tea cups and sugar and creamer are set on small shells. The only colors on the cream colored porcelain body are gold edges of the shell forms and delicately colored coral branches that form handles. Pink, yellow and green are among the colors used for the handles. and sometimes shaded on or into the body of the pieces that enclose a volume.
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Other Belleek China Patterns

Belleek also produces a number of other china patterns based on natural forms of flowers and leaves. They are usually named after the form that inspired the pattern, like Lily and Ivy, although sometimes a pattern is named after an area of Ireland or one of the designers at the Belleek Company.

Belleek in the China Category

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Belleek Henshall Baskets

Although Belleek makes other baskets with flowers, the Henshall baskets are the most desirable. Named for the man who developed the style, these baskets take a ling time to make and decorate.
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Belleek Decorative Items

Decorative products are quite ofter the most visible part of Belleek's line. Vases, picture frames, candle holders, commemorative plates and covered boxes in the shamrock pattern or ready available. Baskets of porcelain "wicker" and decorated with flowers are also a popular Belleek product.
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Books About Belleek

Due to the popularity of Belleek in the 20th century, there a number of books available about the company's products.
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Do You Own A Belleek?

Since the decorative pieces are not very expensive, you may have been given one at some time.

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  • Reply
    Ladydove62 Mar 3, 2010 @ 8:01 pm | delete
    I may have had a piece at one time or another. I have moved a few times and had numerous yard sales. The pieces are very distinctive and charming. I enjoyed learning about Belleeck.
  • Reply
    Shar Mar 2, 2010 @ 6:01 pm | delete
    Hi, Thank you for your visit to my lens on Belleek - and adding a link here at your great lens. I have returned the gesture added a link over at my lens.
    I enjoyed my visit, and will stop in again... All the best Shar
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Other Web Sites About Belleck or Porcelain

You will find more information about Belleek porcelain at these sites.
Belleek Porcelain Hallmark's and Pattern's
Another lens about Belleek, including a test. Can you spot the fake?
Porcelain Collectibles Guide: Belleek
For more information about Belleek porcelain.
Porcelain Collectibles Guide
For information about other porcelain manufacturers and their collectibles.

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Geekness_FortWorth

I collect. Boy, do I collect. Plastic swizzle sticks, paper napkins, pedicure throw-away sandals (some used, some not), pedicure tools (all unused, of... more »

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