Shell Comport thumbnail 1
Shell Comport thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Shell Comport

ca. 1868 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This shell comport, or model, recalls the naturalistic forms of the rococo. Rococo style came to England from France in the 1730s, was out of fashion by the 1770s and enjoyed a long revival from about 1820.

The Irish porcelain factory of Belleek was established in 1857 and quickly became known for its delicate lustred glazes and designs inspired by sea creatures. This comport is an example of the firm's work in earthenware and is a decorative piece rather than being intended for use.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with lustred glaze
Brief description
Shell comport or model on 'coral' base, earthenware with lustred glaze, Belleek, ca. 1868
Physical description
Shell comport or model supported by 'coral' base, earthenware with lustred glaze.
Dimensions
  • Height: 20.5cm
  • Width: 15cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Standard dog and harp trademark (printed in blue)
  • 'BELLEEK' (Impressed)
  • Cipher (Impresed)
  • 'F F N'? (Impressed - indecipherable)
Credit line
Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street
Object history
Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street
Production
3881-1901 to 3892-1901 purchased April 1868 by the Museum of Practical Geology
Subjects depicted
Summary
This shell comport, or model, recalls the naturalistic forms of the rococo. Rococo style came to England from France in the 1730s, was out of fashion by the 1770s and enjoyed a long revival from about 1820.

The Irish porcelain factory of Belleek was established in 1857 and quickly became known for its delicate lustred glazes and designs inspired by sea creatures. This comport is an example of the firm's work in earthenware and is a decorative piece rather than being intended for use.
Bibliographic reference
Langham, Marian, 'Belleek Irish Porcelain' Quiller Press, 1993
Collection
Accession number
3891-1901

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Record createdNovember 26, 2008
Record URL
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