Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was this Sunday and tomorrow is the big day itself. With the first day of spring creeping ever closer, as the bulbs shoot up and the buds begin to appear, it is appropriate that the holiday we celebrate this time of year is all about the colour green! At Toronto Antiques on King we have been examining some of our more lovely green Shamrock themed pieces to see if some of the luck of the Irish rubs off! 

Belleek pottery started in the mid nineteenth century in, of course, the town of Belleek, Ireland.   These absolutely charming Belleek pieces (pictured above: teapot, cup and saucer, tree trunk figurine, beehive, pot and harp) simply embody delicate Celtic design.  The harp piece in particular stands out as a fitting emblem of this great Irish pottery company.  We paired the harp with a Victorian silver locket which has a chain with a Shamrock design for a fun motif and texture comparison.

The English company Plichta specialises in piggy banks, and given the time of year, we are particularly delighted by this shamrock covered little specimen.  Also pictured above, this Saji China Co. cup and saucer are decorated with a pleasing Irish Blessing:

“May the road rise to meet

you.  May the wind be always

at your back. May the sun shine

warm upon your face, the rains fall

soft upon your fields and, until

we meet again may God hold

you in the palm of His hand.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!