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Each piece of China requires the attention of no less than 21 pairs of highly trained hands during the production process and only first quality products are backstamped with the company logo. The skill and commitment of the craftsmen is evident in the flawless beauty of each piece. More than 20% of all production is deliberately destroyed as Donegal China is not engaged in the retail or distribution of second rate products. This creates for our customers unparalleled quality parian china giftware.
The History Of Parian China
Parian was discovered and developed in 1844 by Copeland and Garrett from the Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent, England. When this company first produced this beautiful material, it so resembled the famous Greek marble from the island of Paros that it became known as Parian. Many companies have made parian since 1850, however, the greater number of European companies ceased producing parian after the Victorian era as it became less popular, however, the skills and expertise were taken to Ireland and the USA, thus enabling the parian process to be maintained.
Creating Fine Parian China
The process of producing parian china begins when the master craftsmen produce the master mould from which all the working moulds are made. Slip is the name given to the mixture of various clays derived from ground-up rock and glass which are used for the manufacture of parian china. This mixture is used for slip casting. The slip is poured into the working mould from which the individual pieces are cast and left to stand for one minute only so the finest of parian will be produced. After being cast the piece is left in the moulds for up to one minute after which it is removed and left to dry for a while. Then each piece is finished.
Firing The Parian China
Finishing involves piercing or trimming off the waste clay and the seams are removed from the pieces. The pieces are left to dry overnight before getting their first firing called biscuit firing. The biscuit firing is the first firing which takes approximately 24 hours at temperatures well above 1400C. The China is known as bisque and is hard at this stage . During the first firing the piece of china will shrink almost 20% uniformly. Each piece after the first firing is checked using an electric light bulb to show up any imperfections.
Inspection
Following firing each piece is meticulously checked for any slight imperfections. Any piece which does not reach the stringent quality controls set by the Company is destroyed. Donegal Parian China does not sell seconds and on average over twenty percent of all items cast are deliberately destroyed in order to preserve the very high quality image of the Company. The china is then scoured and brushed to remove any dust particles. The pieces are next dipped in liquid glass to which a vegetable dye has been added to highlight any area which might not be properly glazed. The dye fades as it dries and burns away during the second or gloss firing. The glaze fuses onto the china in this firing which gives the china its beautiful glossy appearance. A second firing is applied at approximately 1100C for less than 8 hrs. The ware is known as gloss or glost ware. The glossware is then decorated and backstamped after it has been inspected. Decals are then applied at this stage and most pieces are also hand painted before the third and final firing. This final firing is at approx. 900 degrees centigrade for five hours. After another comprehensive visual quality check each piece is catalogued, wrapped in deep tissue paper and presentation boxed before shipping onwards to our growing world-wide number of collectors and admirers.
The History Of Donegal China
Donegal China is located in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal at the mouth of the River Erne. Donegal Parian China is one of Ireland’s premier giftware companies. For Nearly 150 years this corner of Ireland has been famous for its Parian China production and today the crafts people at Donegal China are carrying on this proud tradition into the new millennium. Donegal Parian China celebrated the first decade in business in 1996. From humble beginnings in 1986, this young company has become the leading participant in the Ceramics Industry in Ireland and the market leader in design, product shapes and patterns. The original founders of the company had over 100 years of ceramic production and marketing experience between them and in 1989 decided to commence production in the beautiful and friendly town of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Donegal Parian China has grown from strength to strength, employing 60 people, this coupled with an internal marketing ethos that everyone involved ensures that customer satisfaction and quality delivery service are never compromise. Donegal’s Rose patterns have been outstanding since being introduced and will continue to please, while collectors and gift givers alike can enjoy the beauty that is “a gift today, a treasure tomorrow”. Donegal Parian China is now a part of the Belleek Group of companies which incorporates Belleek Pottery, Galway Irish Crystal and Aynsley China. In becoming a part of the Belleek Group, Donegal Parian China Limited has joined an organisation that has made significant inroads into the world markets for parian china and leaded crystal products.
Donegal China Stores
The following stores sell Donegal China.
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