Belleek porcelain, also known as Parian china, is so beautiful that I wanted to feature more pieces today. These lovely collectible items can be purchased at Belleek-China.com.
I'm having a hard time picking a favorite. I could see loving all of them equally! Which teacup would you choose for your tea today?
Photo credit: Belleek-China
When my mother was in Ireland, she began collecting Belleek, the fine Irish porcelain made in the Emerald Isle. She collected dozens of pieced through the years, and she displayed them in the China cabinet in her dining room. After my mother passed away, my sisters and I divided her collection so that we would each have those treasures she cherished.
One year when I was in high school, my mother gave to me for Christmas the most stunning Belleek vase I've ever seen. I don't recall if it came in its original box, and I don't know the name of the piece. I've searched high and low for the name of the design but have been unable to find anything even similar to it. It must be retired, which makes it a true treasure and even more collectible. Even if there were dozens of them around, it would still be my favorite. If I get a chance before St. Patrick's Day, I'll take a picture of it and will post the photograph.
In the meantime, below are some more pieces of Belleek that, although they are not my photographs, are either part of or very similar to pieces in my mother's Belleek collection. Enjoy!
Photo credit: Belleek
St. Patrick's Day is approaching so the focus at The Tea Room this week will be Ireland. The photograph above is of Belleek Castle. Located in County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland, it is a full hotel that hosts banquets and events such as weddings. Below is the description included on the website.
"In 1,000 acres of woodland & forestry, on the banks of the River Moy in the beautiful County of Mayo in Ireland. Belleek Castle Historical and Romantic extends a warm welcome to travellers and visitors seeking the good life and to enjoy the facilities of this ancestral home of the Earl of Arran. The Castle is informal, cosy and friendly, rich in décor and antiquities with many great open fires to warm your steps back through half a millennium."
My maternal grandparents were born in Ireland, my mother traveled back to "the old country" with them twice and twice more in later years. My sisters were able to visit Ireland, too. I've not yet had an opportunity to visit, but I did fly over Ireland on my way to England several years ago. That same year, California was in the midst of a long-lived drought. From miles above the land of leprachauns and clovers, Ireland looked like a patchwork quilt of green, lush and stunning. Cozy, quaint, and very inviting.
