Scroll Down To View Our Collection

Vintage & Antique Porcelain and Pottery pieces include American and Canadian Crocks and Jugs, Wade Pottery from England and Ireland, Antique Torquay Motto Ware Pottery, beautiful Eggshell Porcelain China from the Irish Belleek factory and a variety of Vintage Collectible Vases, Bowls and Plates from all over the world; discontinue Blue Mountain Pottery from Canada and the Covered Pot left which is part of an Antique 14 piece Majolica Punch Set.

Torquay Motto Ware   refers to a specific and unique type of pottery dating back to the mid-Victorian era of 1867.  Wheel turned and molded terra-cotta style clay pieces were glazed and painted in colourful decorative designs.  Many items feature verses, proverbs or quotes scratched into the surface just before firing.  The most popular patterns of the day were Cottage scenes, Black Cockeral and Scandy scroll work.  All the items you see in our inventory are original and antique.

Belleek is an Irish location name and adopted to represent the thin translucent porcelain tableware and decorative items produced in Ireland dating back to 1859.  All original Belleek is base marked and can be identified and dated by the style and colour of the ink stamp on each piece.  With variations, the base marks always incorporate the Irish Worlfhound, Celtic Round Tower, Harp and Shamrocks.  The interior of most pieces has a creamy pearl-like lustre.  The most popular pattern has been the basket-weave and shamrock pattern but Belleek made a variety of beautiful patterns to collect.

Belleek Marks: The first three marks are Black and date from 1863-1946.  Followed were a series of three Green marks 1946 until 1980.  A Gold mark was introduced from 1980 to 1992.  The most current - 8th mark is Blue.  

Japanese Kutani Ceramics:        During the early 1980's Japan exported a collection of Ceramics and Porcelain decor items with bird and flower motifs. Rich Black, Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Red and White highly Glazed Vases, Urns, Ginger jars, Plates, Bowls, Tea Sets, Saki Sets, etc were hand decorated and enhanced with 22k gold accents and trim.  Sizes ranged from 3" to  15" high.

The main Importer of this line was Giftcraft Imports of Toronto, Canada but they were available throughout North America through Department Stores and Gift Shops.  The patterns included a pair of colourful Pheasants among Peonies, followed by long-tailed Peacocks sitting in flowering plum or cherry trees.   One set has the Peacocks gazing left, another line has the Peacocks gazing right.   The same line included a Pull Cart full of flowers & a Covered Wagon among more flowers.  

The base marks were varied but all were imported from Japan, some with red underglaze print marks, others with small paper stickers that may or may not still be on the item.   All of these Black Glazed pieces are discontinued and have been for some time now.  

This was a personal collection of the Black Glazed ceramics only and all pieces are clearly described as to size and condition..

Thank you for visiting the Glass Menagerie Antiques and Collectibles site.  We invite you to visit the rest of our site by clicking on the "Home Page" button at the top of this page.

 Click on the Boxes Below