Perplexed, green eyes and a lucky shamrock tie make this Belleek feline the cat's meow. Simple lines and craftily sculpted embossment bring this curious cat to life with expression. Resting on haunches and with tail wrapped around front paws, this frisky fellow has risen from his nap and is somewhat curious about what's happened over the past 23 hours. Measuring approximately 4 inches in height, this is truly an original piece of Irish craftsmanship. Glazed all over, this piece is handmade and hand-painted on the Emerald Isle, and crafted of fine Parian China-a material developed in Great Britain in the 1840s for sculpting classical figurines with crystalline translucence. 

Since its beginning in 1857, Belleek has been cherished by porcelain aficionados worldwide, and has been sought by royalty, heads of state and museums alike. Regarded as one of the finest crafts ever to come out of Ireland, no other porcelain compares to Belleek's ivory-hued luster. And, as with this finely crafted item, no two pieces of Belleek craftwork are ever the same. With unrivaled attention to detail, every lid; every flower; and every handle is lovingly crafted and painted by hand for an original look and feel that is uniquely Belleek. Belleek means perfection. Back in 1857, the pottery's founder, John Caldwell Bloomfield, declared that any piece with even the slightest flaw should be destroyed to ensure that only the most perfect creations become treasured keepsakes. This commitment holds fast more than 140 years later. As anyone in the Belleek Collector's International Society can attest to; every single piece of Belleek China is made using highly evolved materials and techniques handed down from generation to generation, and is a gorgeous addition to any home.  --Brian Olson