| Baskets |
|
|
Rathmore Basket |
|
| The town of Belleek lies in two
"Townlands"; Rathmore to the east and Finner to the west. The Rathmore Basket is
named after the Townland whose ancient origins reach back into early Celtic history, when
the Ulaildh clan established a fort, Rath Mohr, on a hill overlooking Belleek. Now it is
the King of baskets. The Rathmore Basket was one of the earlier introductions. The early baskets have very fine bases, usually three strand, with twisted loops around the top. A ribbon surrounds the whole, which has an abundance of lowers, looped legs, and handles at each end. They were later re-introduced and are in current production. |
|
 |
 |
| RATHMORE BASKET Note the open three strand base. |
RATHMORE BASKET Both baskets have restored handles and are three strand, having one pad with Belleek Co. Fermanagh. |
Oval Covered Basket |
| If the Rathmore Basket is the King of baskets, the Covered Basket must take the place of Queen. It is extremely difficult and costly to make with a high manufacturing failure rate. Apart from the normal hazard of collapsing, if for any reason the lid and the base of the basket should shrink at different rates during firing they no longer fit and both pieces are rejected and destroyed. |
|
| PREVIOUS PAGE | |
Belleek Index ¦ Introduction ¦ Marks ¦ Parian Statues & Busts ¦ Centre Pieces ¦ Vases, Spills & Cornucopias
Miscellaneous Figurines &
Ornaments ¦ Baskets ¦ Candlesticks Lamps ¦ Mirrors
Jardinières, Flower Pots
& Wall Brackets ¦ Lithophanes
¦ Holy Water Fonts ¦ Jugs
Comports, Dessert Services
¦ Crested ¦ Tea Sets ¦ Christmas Plates ¦ Appendix I - Tea Sets
Appendix II -
History & Names ¦ Catalogue
1904 ¦ Catalogue 1949
Home - Collecting - For Sale - News - Price Guide - New Book - Links - E-mail
Site designed by Michael at Tempo Web.
