Belleek Echinus tea set pieces with first mark (in red) and impressed
British Registry mark pad dating to 1881. (Note the oversized
detail of the finial on the teapot lid in the center.)

he Echinus pattern was the first design to be registered so that other ceramic producers could not copy it, and was held in such regard that even Queen Victoria selected it as a wedding present for one of her children. The pattern takes its name from the common sea urchin (after which the textured surface was modeled), and was generally sold undecorated. The featured example is tinted in pink, and custom finishes including painting and gilt could be special ordered. As with other Belleek tea sets of the period, the addition of family crests of well-to-do purchasers is not uncommon, and the standard Belleek mark was often augmented with the retailer's name for which the piece was produced. In addition, tea-making instructions were often ink-transferred inside the lid such as follows: "Fill with water, blood warm and allow it to stand a few minutes. Empty and use with boiling water."

Echinus tray with pink tint, valued today at upwards of US $1,000. Echinus tray with multicolored pink and blue-patterned tints and gilt.

Transfer mark and registry pad under cup.	Details of transfer marks on underside of tray	Transfer mark and pad inside teapot.