Small basket BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1865 1889.
The most interesting products of the factory from Northern Ireland are wicker baskets and stucco decoration in the form of flower bouquets. In a special department, craftsmen weave intricate porcelain threads for baskets and create naturalistic flowers: leaf by leaf, stem by stem, and petal by petal. Each item produced in this technique is truly original – no two items are the same.
The clay used here is the same as found in the foundry, except gum arabic is added to the mixture, making it more elastic, but changing the color of the clay, making it gray.
Threads for baskets are made by a special machine, the so-called Dod. The clay is pressed through holes in the bottom of the machine into very long spaghetti-like strands. Threads are used to weave the base and sides of each basket.
Mesh porcelain basket BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH late 19th century.
The base of the basket is woven by hand on ceramic tiles in 2, 3 or 4 strands, then it is cut using a template depending on the size and shape of the basket. The base is then placed on top of the block mold, and the craftsman manually weaves the side walls: threads are laid around the mold walls diagonally in both directions to create the effect of a wicker basket.
The flowers are made by hand right on the palm of the hand, using tools similar to those used many years ago: a five-inch nail, flattened and smoothed at both ends, a razor blade and a knitting needle.
Belleek porcelain flowers and baskets
Oval basket with two handles decorated with flowers BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1865 1889.Basket Heart decorated with flowers diameter 13 cm BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1955 1979.Two wicker baskets with a diameter of 26 cm BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH 19th and 20th century.Basket rimmed with roses diameter 17.5 cm BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1926 1946.Flowers diameter 13 cm BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1921 1954.Forget me not basket BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1955Basket Shamrock BELLEEK Co. FERMANAGH circa 1921 1954.Oval wicker dish length 31.5 cm XX century.Basket with two handles decorated with flowers Belleek ® Ireland XX century.Basket with lid decorated with flowers BELLEEK Co FERMANAGH circa 1955.Pot with lid decorated with flowers, 1945.Pot decorated with rose shamrock and thistle branches, 1955 1979.Basket decorated with roses and clover diameter 24 cm, early 20th century.Basket HENSHALLS TWIG with handle in the form of branches with flowers and buds, 1900.Openwork bottle height 8 cm, 19th century.Basket Belleek Lily decorated with lilies of the valley diameter 23 cm, 1865-1890.Basket with lid decorated with flowers, 1870-1890.Shamrock bowl, circa 1863 1890.Basket decorated with flowers diameter 25 cm, late 19th century.Rare three strand basket decorated with flowers, circa 1865 1890.
