Generally, dating
a piece of Belleek is fairly easy although there are a few things to look
out for.
Belleek tended to mark all of the Parian China and Earthenware which it produced and which was considered to be of "suitable quality", other pieces which are unmistakably Belleek have "escaped" from the Pottery without a mark being applied, these were usually pieces which had some sort of flaw, black dots (caused by impurities), a firing crack, or maybe the glaze was too thick giving the piece a greenish tint. The "traditional" mark consists of the Irish Wolfhound, Round Tower, and Harp with the word Belleek below in a ribbon edged with sprigs of Shamrocks. Most Belleek pieces
can be marked in two ways either IMPRESSED or by use of a Transfer / Decal
BACKSTAMP. Early baskets had IMPRESSED Parian strips applied to the base,
later baskets carry a Parian pad with a BACKSTAMP Transfer / Decal applied.
Impressed Marks Parian -
Belleek, Belleek Co. Fermanagh, Belleek (R) Ireland, 1st period Mark
Earthenware -
Harp / Crown Harp.
Transfer / Decal (Backstamp) Marks Parian -
Backstamp marks (as illustrated below)
Earthenware -
1st & 2nd Transfer / Decal marks in various colours (can be
The information
given below should allow you to identify Belleek carrying Transfer / Decal
marks (as illustrated).
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