Posted 8 years ago
live.eclec…
(63 items)
Another recent acquisition (from an auction in Montana no less) is this Belleek Prince of Wales Ice Bucket that bears the 7th mark (gold) which dates this item between April 1, 1980 and December 22, 1992. These are still made today and cost $6,000 direct from Belleek Pottery. Luckily... I didn't pay that much - not even close. I think I actually danced in my chair when I won it :)
It is 19-1/2" tall, 7-1/2" diameter, and 8-1/2" at widest point. These are made in 3 pieces - the base, body, and lid. This one is in impeccable condition.
Awesome!
I have the same piece from the same period. I got it for $800 in a shop near Union Square in San Francisco after 30 years of wanting one.
Interesting to note that the seahorses have hooves, where when these molds were later adapted to the seahorse flower holder and the seahorse holding the cardium shell, those pieces have webbed feet.
I didn't know what a triton (cherub like figure blowing the horn while riding the dolphin) was until I bought this piece and started researching it. Usually a triton is a grownup, but here it's more like a cherub. See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(mythology)
According to Belleek the bottom part of this just above the mermaids inspired the Tridacna tea set. The coral branching around the rim is very similar to that that circles the Echinus tray for the tea set.
It's interesting to put this piece next to the similarly based Echinus Footed Bowl and compare their sizes. It's too bad the site doesn't allow posting pictures with messages, or I'd add one.
The original registered design drawing for this was registered on September 5, 1868, and describes it as decoration or ornamentation for a VASE. That's some vase (and with a lid no less). Whatever it started as, it morphed into the centerpiece of the Prince of Wales dinner service.
@upscalebohemian $800.. nice - I picked this one up for $1000 at the same auction I got the Oval Covered and Rathmore baskets - I've been wanting an earlier period one, but have been unsuccessful in locating one at any price so far.
I recall a vase with the same bottom (or very similar), let me see if I can find the reference... ah, here it is... Naiads' Flower Pot on page 106 in Marion Langham's "Encyclopaedia of Belleek Flower Holders". She gives a reference to "Illustrated in Armstrong's Album". It looks like the ice pail without the top and the bottom is 3-footed with a shell motif.
Yes, they did a few Frankenstein versions of pieces from time to time. I recently saw a tiny basket sitting atop the pedestal base for an egg cup. Just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along.