Wednesday 27 June 2012

Jubilee Gift to The Queen


It is believed that the NI Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment, Arlene Foster MLA, has presented The Queen with a specially designed gift, on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, on the occasion of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

The exquisite Oval Handled Basket, hand-made by Belleek Pottery, County Fermanagh, is a design which dates back to the 1890s and has not been made for a number of years. 

The unique basket has been inspired by wild flowers found in our local woodlands and hedgerows. Several types of familiar wild flowers feature on the basket:
  • Flax: found in pastures, represents Irish Linen Industry
  • Bluebells: found in deciduous woodlands
  • Honeysuckle: common in hedgerows and coastal rock faces
  • Primroses: winter flower usually in mountain areas and hedge banks
  • Fuchsia & Wild Roses: found in hedges
  • Daisies: found in Grasslands

Hidden through the flowers are honey bees, butterflies, ladybirds and dragonflies with a few of Belleek’s trademark shamrocks and a lucky four leaf clover.

The Basket, designed by Claire Rowe, made by Master Craftsman John Doogan and painted by Rachel Love, has an inscribed disk on the reverse, painted in 24 carat gold, numbered 1 of 1.

 It also has a unique Belleek back-stamp.

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