Above.... Very Rare Hand Painted 'Birds' by Ebeneezer Swann painted on First Period Belleek Bone China

This page features an extremely rare bone china tea service painted by Ebeneezer Swann who spent l time at Belleek. This set was a special 'one off' which was sold in Ireland at Viewback Auctions 'Manor House Hotel Belleek Sale' held shortly after the International Belleek Convention in April 2007. The attention to detail on this set is fantastic. Each bird has been painted with such fine detail. At the present time, this is the only known, signed set painted on Belleek Bone China attributed to this amazing painter. The set has been bought for the nation by the National Museum of Ireland and is now housed at the Collins Baracks Museum in Dublin.

The set was first mentioned in the 'Corrigan Manuscript' which was published by the Los Angeles Belleek Chapter following the discovery of previously unseen material relating to the pottery. The written works by Mrs Jenks date, it is believed to the mid 1960s. The manuscript was discovered by the late Tom Corrigan and published by the Los Angeles Belleek Collectors Chapter in 1992. There were no illustrations or photoraphs with the manuscript, but the accurate description within the manuscript of a set , hand painted by E Swann leaves no doubt that this is the one and same set that was described in the 1960's. The 'Swann' set is featured in the book, 'Belleek in Context' by Neville Maguire which was published by Viewback Auctions, Omagh, Norther Ireland plus research on E W Swann can be found in an article by UK Group Member, Paul Tubb which can be accessed below

Above... painted decoration to centre of tray

Above... various painted images from the set