Ceramics

A selection of ceramics from the museum's collection
Scotch Whisky barrel	Terracotta water cooler	Bust of Gladstone
Four-stranded basket	Coffee set	First Period three-stranded basket
Second Period covered basket	Gladstone chamber pot

Summary of collection Belleek Pottery, established in 1857 by John Caldwell Bloomfield of Castle Caldwell to give employment in the area, is still a thriving concern. The Museum has on display a representative collection of Belleek ware, porcelain figures, vases, and table ware, delicate basketwork, a wide range of earthenware pieces for the home market, including simple sponge-decorated mugs and bowls, and a very unusual terracotta water cooler. Also on view is a bust of Gladstone displayed beside a less flattering image of the 19th century prime minister, printed on the bottom inside of a small chamber pot. These chamber pots were produced to sell to Irish landlords who did not welcome the land reforms introduced by Gladstone. The Belleek Pottery, from the beginning, exported porcelain to North America and later to continental Europe, India and Australia. It won prizes at international exhibitions and was purchased by Queen Victoria and members of the nobility. A rare First Period Scotch Whisky barrel used originally in a public house, a coffee set decorated with Celtic animal interlace and designed in the 1920s, a First Period three-stranded basket and a very delicate Second Period covered basket.