This basket forms part of a large collection reflecting the Irish heritage and collecting interests of the family. While this piece was purchased there are other Belleek pieces in both private and public collections across Ballarat once belonging to the same extended family. This piece is one of 100 examples from the Belleek factory that reflects the family's and Ballarat's Irish heritage. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Ballarat and providing interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.Large three strand lidded basket in a pearl finish with a single ribbon to the base impressed with makers mark Belleek Co Fermanagh over the basket weave base.Belleek Co Fermanagh on base of basket.belleek, irish, ballarat

Belleek pottery in Co Fermanagh, Ireland produced functional pottery such as this from it's earliest period, this piece bears the first period mark, 1863-1890 before producing its more famous fine eggshell porcelain.An early Irish earthenware plate from c. 1870s made at the Belleek factory. A large proportion of Ballarat's goldfields population including the families at Hymettus cottage were Irish immigrants.Indistinct registration lozenge and transfer printed logo of Irish wolfhound with word Belleek to underside.belleek, ireland

Belleek was established following the Irish famine of the mid nineteenth century that brought so many Australian families, including the Taffe and Berkery families to immigrate to the Australian colonies. This Belleek porcelain tea set and tray in the Thorn pattern based on the hawthorn bush sprig in flower carries the impressed registration mark for 1878. Belleek was well represented at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-81 at Melbourne's Exhibition building and many examples were bought by key Ballarat Irish families including those connected to this family such as the Brophy, O'Malley and Fitzgerald families, Julia Taffe's (nee Berkery) aunts uncles and cousins. Many such examples remain in Ballarat collections although this is not one.Tea set consisting of a tray with teapot, creamer, sugar bowl two saucers and one remaining cup from the original pair. All pieces decorated in the thorn and spiderweb pattern.Impressed factory mark and registration mark on base of each piece.belleek, porcelain, ballarat, ireland, exhibition building, melbourne, exhibition, thorn pattern, irish famine, tea set, tray, brophy, fitzgerald, o'malley, julia taffe, berkery, australian colonies,

The Bishop O'Collins 1940s Irish Belleek tea set sans tray was purchased at the contents auction of the Catholic Bishop's Palace Ballarat in July 1996. The matching tray was purchased on-line from Northern Ireland in October 2024.belleek, o'collins, ballarat, irish

Hand-painted Irish Belleek desert plate one of a set of six. 1st period black mark to underside with overglaze printed armorial for Bishop Moore of Ballarat on facing side.

This breakfast set consists of various pieces and was owned by Bishop Daniel Foley and has his personal Coat of Arms printed upon each piece. Bishop Daniel Foley was Bishop of Ballarat from 1916 to 1942 and was cousin to Daniel Mannix Archbishop of Melbourne.This is the only known Belleek crested porcelain breakfast set within Western Victoria.Belleek Breakfast set with Bishop Daniel Foley crest c. 1930. Consists of tea and coffee set and 5 egg cups.glazed transfer ware with printed crest. Stamped 3rd black markbelleek, porcelain, crested china, daniel foley