On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Shell Comport

1868 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This shell comport 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.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with lustred glaze
Brief description
Shell comport, earthenware with lustred glaze, Belleek, 1868.
Physical description
Shell comport, earthenware with lustred glaze, form of one half shell, upturned, supported by a base of several different species of shell
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
  • Width: 16cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • standard dog and harp trademark (printed in black - eroded)
  • BELLEEK Co. FERMANAGH (impressed)
Subject depicted
Summary
This shell comport 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.
Bibliographic reference
Langham, Marian, 'Belleek Irish Porcelain' Quiller Press, 1993
Collection
Accession number
848-1870

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Record createdNovember 26, 2008
Record URL
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