Blue and white china

English Decor

This is one of my favorite China patterns, there is so much versatility to it, from plates, planters, platters, teapots and teacups, plus decorative vases… I could go on … there’s a wonderful story behind the pattern itself, forbidden love, two star crossed lovers,

Even though the Blue Willow tableware pattern is considered traditionally a British pattern it is clearly inspired by China and we need to go way back, a long way back …

The beautiful daughter of a wealthy Mandarin, Koong-se, falls in love with Chang who is low born, and an assistant to her father, once the father found out about the lovers he built a fence around his property to keep his daughter in and Chang out, soon the mandarin arrange a Betrothal for his daughter to a rich duke, who arrived by boat carrying jewels as a marriage offering. Chang broke into the compound and escaped with Koong-se taking the jewels and got away.. they ended up living on a far away island, where Chang made a successful career at writing, in fact so successful it reached the ear of the mandarin, he then sent his henchmen to the island where they killed Chang and set fire to their house and killed Koong-se, the Gods seeing their plight, immortalized them, as two doves taking flight which you can see at the top of the willow pattern …other elements of the story such as the Duke arriving in the boat and the henchmen giving chase over the bridge and even the far away island can be seen on the pattern..

Chinese porcelain was invented 2600 years ago made from kaolin a white color clay mixture, by the 1300s cobolt blue pigment was derived to make the blue and white Chinese pattern.

Blue Willow is considered an English country pattern because it was created in England in the late 18th century, 1780 to be exact .. the pattern was created by Thomas Turner in Shropshire, England, In 1779, Turner was known for his chinese patterns and had Thomas Minton engrave the original Willow pattern, the pattern was printed on earthenware using a process called transferware making it more affordable .. popularized in the late 18th century and has been used for 230 years…

Thomas Minton moved to the Spode factory in Staffordshire in 1784 …

Blue Willow is popular in decor because of the blue and white color which is timeless and classic. Its versatility makes it practical for formal and casual dining, as well in many decor settings.