Monday, July 26, 2010

Teacup Tuesday


Our hostesses for Teacup Tuesday are Martha and Teri.
Be sure to visit to see the Teacups on Parade!

I have a soft spot in my heart for Belleek, perhaps because of my Celtic background.
Their work is gorgeous and the Parian porcelain so thin that the cups are perfect for tea leaf reading, but that's a whole other post!

I'd like to share with you my Belleek Shamrock teapot and teacups.

I love the distinctive harp shaped handles, the hand painted Shamrocks, the rounded edges of the cups in the Shamrock shape.


Tea Set


You can see the shell pattern on the teapot and cups.


Teacup Tuesday Mosaic

I also have a set of 4 mugs hand painted with the Shamrocks and with a woven embossment.

In 1849 John Caldwell Bloomfield inherited the Castlecaldwell estate, which encompassed the village of Belleek, from his father. Mindful of the plight of his tenants in the aftermath of the potato famine he sought to provide some form of worthwhile employment. An amateur mineralogist, he ordered a geologic survey of his land. To his delight it revealed the necessary raw materials to make Pottery - feldspar, kaolin, flint, clay and shale.

Porcelain was featured by Belleek for the first time at the Dublin Exposition of 1872. Their display was the largest in the Irish and English industrial areas. Among the pieces listed in the catalogue for the event are Parian china statues and busts, ice buckets, compotes and centerpieces.

The history of Belleek is interesting and you can read more here.

Have a wonderful week filled with tasty tea!

Joy to You!



27 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I've seen this beautiful porcelain in stores selling fine Irish goods but never knew its history before. Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous, what beautiful work, and an education to boot! Happy tea. xox Corrine

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a gorgeous set, Snap..... I can understand why you love Belleek... I love your shamrock set... It's fabulous!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

The Charm of Home said...

Belleek is one of my favorites! Yours is lovely!
Sherry

Barb said...

You have the best tea set collections, Snap, and I also love your doilies.

Janet said...

Beautiful teapot and tea cups. I always learn something new when I visit here.

Bookie said...

Delicate Irish flavor in these things...I have nothing Irish yet, but I intend to someday when I find the right addition to this house of cups and pots!

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Lovely! I am still drinking mine iced with a mint leaf. Imagine discovering all those neat materials on your own land!

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hi :) What a lovely set you have, and thank you so much for sharing the history with us.

Wishing you a Happy "Tea" Tuesday!!

Warmest hugs, Brenda

Gee said...

Thanks for stopping by. What a lovely collection you got there. I love them and thanks for sharing.

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi: I have a few pieces of Belleek. Yours are stunning. I love the Shamrock shape cups. Thank you so much for sharing these beauties with us. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

Such beautiful collection.. Belleek is one of the oldest porcelain makers and the shamrock pattern is one of their famous pattern ever!..
thanks for sharing this lovely set of yours! very unique and precious!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a stunning tea pot and tea cup!!
Gorgeous!!

Debbie

Kathy said...

Oh my goodness! I LOVE Belleek! Thanks for sharing the history! The set is gorgeous!!! It could definitely be on my wish list!
Hope you have a terrific day!
Kathy

The Blackwood Cottage said...

Just found you...what a great blog!! Love the Buddhism...serenity!
machelle

Appleshoe said...

I love your Belleek Shamrocks. I have been keeping an eye out for them when I go to antique stores. Sadly I have not found any yet. Yours are lovely. Thank you for the information. I did not know the history. Take care.

EG CameraGirl said...

Oh, I LOVE this shamrock tea set. I love the simple motif.

Princesa Nadie said...

What pretty Tea cups! I love clovers
Having a tea with you has been a pleasure
Hugs

KathyB. said...

I have admired Belleek from afar, and until now did not know anything of its' history. Now I will be reading more about it. It is such a delicately beautiful porcelain and the simplicity of the pattern seems to enhance and exalt the shape .

Virginia said...

Gorgeous set!!!
Blessings,
Virginia

Terri said...

Your Belleek set is gorgeous! I just love the swirls and basket weave textures as well as the delicate shamrocks. And who wouldn't love the harp like handles!?
Thank you so much for sharing these with us today. The history is so interesting. Thank you for that too.
Hugs,
Terri

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Lovely, so delicate! Happy TCT!

Debbie

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Absolutely gorgeous and so filled with the history of a brave and noble people!
My great grandmother Catherine Lenore would have approved being Irish herself I am sure she loved Belleek.
Tina xo

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Wonderful shamrock tea set! Love the unique shape of each piece! I have a bit of Irish in me so your set I find quite appealing. Thank you for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

Patti said...

Oh, SO pretty. Perfect for a cup of Irish Breakfast, huh?

Have a lovely day,
Patti

LissaL said...

You always have or find such treasures to share with us. Oh how I would love to spend the afternoon with you and a cup or two of tea!

BECKY said...

Oh, so beautiful! I didn't have time to participate in Tea Cup Tuesday this week....hopefully next week!