HISTORY:
We are cleaning out our "overgrown" collection of UK (mainly) chinaware because we have quality chinaware coming out of our ears! Some pieces/collections have been kept but others must find new homes to accommodate our latest passion - fine, artistic chinaware (hand painted of course)
If Irish chinaware and porcelain is close to your heart, you might also like to take a look HERE
This Irish porcelain giftware is NOT just an Irish hand bell, far from it!
This Irish porcelain piece is not only hand-crafted artistic porcelain, it actually has a beautiful meaning ...
This is a small, delicate hand bell but not just any ordinary hand bell, it has symbolism.
In the very old Irish tradition this bell is designed as a four sided bell not round. These types of bells date from way back in the mists of time when they were used in Irish religion but these days they represent Good Luck and are often presented as Wedding presents.
Why?
Not only is Good Luck represented by the bell but these bells are also known in Irish culture as a "make up" bell, no not for your face ... the idea is that when a couple has a disagreement, the bell is rung which "breaks the tension" and hopefully renews the spirit of love - nice!
Hopefully the ringing of the bell will not be needed very often in the household but instead of just sitting in your "china display cabinet(s)" it can be placed somewhere "handy", even on the dining table just in case one of those "moments" occurs and ringing of the bell is needed ... so the next time there is a difference of opinions, just tingle the bell (it is a very gentle tingle sound) meaning "time out" let's just calm down and talk about this ....
Moving away from the symbolism, the design is also of interest ...
There are two VERY intricate Celtic knot designs on two sides of the bell .... Celtic knots are distinctive in that they never end.
Sit down and follow one of the lines in the knot, HOURS of amusement (for those so inclined) because the line will never end!
It is said that the Celtic knot, no matter which design is used, represents Eternity - never ending ... there are many Celtic knot design elements which can represent various aspects of eternity e.g Love, Life, Family, Relationships or Religion to name just a few.
Just one source of information (and there are many) online with regard to Celtic symbols and knot design is HERE
So, let me describe this very special Irish hand bell and further down in this description I will talk more about the company CRE Irish Porcelain and the director, Joe McCaul.
CRE IRISH PORCELAIN - Irish Hand Bell
Circa1980's
Irish Four Sided Hand Bell
Symbolic Giftware
White/Cream porcelain
This is NOT Belleek but a "normal" porcelain
Handmade*
Multi-coloured Celtic knot design on two sides
Underglaze CRE Irish Porcelain print (Light Purple) inside the bell housing
DIMENSIONS:
130mm (5 Inches) height x 80mm (3 1/4 Inches) wide x 50mm (2 inches) deep
WEIGHT: 150g
Inside the bell housing is metallic Gold script writing
J Mc Caul
Below this signature is the CRE Irish Porcelain company logo and text (in a Light Purple)
Handmade in Galway Ireland (following an upwards curve)
Now at this point we will add a few personal thoughts about this signature .... many people online are a bit like sheep! One person says something and they all follow blindly! I even saw some sellers naming the owner of the autograph as Joel! Often you can see advertisements for CRE Irish Porcelain products, declaring the piece has been hand painted by Joe, we doubt this ...
J McCaul (first name Joe) was the director of CRE Irish Porcelain but that doesn't mean he was the creative artist, in fact we really doubt he undertook the "hands on" creation of this art.
CRE Irish Porcelain were prolific producers of "giftware" and as the Director of the company, while we are absolutely sure that Joe DESIGNED the piece, particularly the Celtic knots, we really doubt he actually painted every piece by hand.
Make no mistake, the artwork is absolutely hand created (we checked closely and you can see the "human touches" to the design i.e uneven colouring and some colours "drifting offline" a little.
It is our belief that highly skilled production artists/workers undertook the decorative work, not Joe personally.
We do not collect pieces just because they "look nice" but also like to know as much as possible about the "background" and although it was a little difficult to "dig up" the information, Facebook provided the best (and most reliable?) information.
Quoting from the F.B page of Brazco Coffee Academy
Post was made in 2016!
We're exciting and proud to be hosting an exhibition by the talented and acclaimed 'Joe McCaul' in our art space at 'Brazco Coffee Academy'. Joe has enjoyed an impressive career in the Art industry.
From head designer at 'Royal Tara China' to founder and director of CRE Irish Porcelain and Head of ceramics at GMIT.
Joe is still very active in the Irish Art community and is exhibiting nationwide. Check out his bronze James Joyce sculpture on UCD campus. Joe is also very active in the coffee drinking community and is one of our best customers:) We've been a fan of Joe's work for years and are proud to be hosting his work. The exhibition will run for September and October. Not to be missed.
If you look at the FB page of Brazco Coffee Academy, it seems that this is THE place to go to in Galway for a great coffee and to view some wonderful art!
GMIT is the Galway-Mayo Institute Of Technology, located in Galway
Royal Tara China remains a "going concern" and they have a lot of items with Celtic designs, no doubt Joe had a hand in this too - look HERE
Another thing I would like to mention is the Celtic knot design used. I believe this was entirely of Joe's creation as I cannot link it with any of the "ancient" Celtic knot designs. A typical Celtic knot but the design couldn't be pin-pointed down to a specific traditional design. Very intricate design in various shades of Yellow and Purple. Perhaps only Joe knows the "meaning" of this knot design, if there ever was intended to be a meaning!
The handle design is also scrolled porcelain.
The top of the handle and skirt of the bell have heavily applied Gold gilding
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED but practically "as new"
NO cracks
NO stains, marks or other signs of use
NO chips or fleabites
NO crazing
NO wear showing to the artwork at all
NO wear to the Gold gilding
NO discolouration (topside and underneath)
So there you have it ... not "just" a cute little bell! There is far more meaning to this hand bell than meets the eye ...
