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Earthenware Belleek (Co. Fermanagh) is extremely rare. Let us examine
the history. Founded in 1857 - this world famous Pottery started with
humble beginnings. The original founders (Armstrong, Bloomfield and
McBirney) lacked the necessary expertise or facilities to produce
fine porcelain. In fact all the profits from the sale of earthenware
went into financing their experiments in fine Parian ware. The early
kilns used only turf or peat as a fuel, grown and cut in the local
bogs. Later ware and present day china use imported coal as a fuel
and imported clay as raw material. The clay used in this earthenware
was also from the locality, as indeed was the water to run the mills
and the people to throw the pots! Early Irish earthenware Belleek
is a quintessential true product of Ireland.
EXAMPLE:
This beautiful earthenware Belleek plate has a 1st Period brown mark
and is beautifully decorated with foliage and a single bird. Measures:
10.60" in diameter X 1" high.
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