THE HISTORY OF BLUE WILLOW

Thomas Turner is widely believed to have introduced the now world famous Blue Willow China pattern in the late 18th century and the original engraving by Thomas Minton is still on display in Coalport. China. For nearly a century and a half the Blue Willow China Pattern was the stock pattern for almost every British Pottery Manufacturer, and over the years it is come in and out of fashion and recently has seen a steady and strong following that shows no sign of waning.

The traditional willow pattern features a large beautiful Chinese home and a willow tree as the two dominating features. There is also a small bridge with 3 figures crossing, a servants house at the foot of the bridge, a small Chinese boat and the famous love birds above the willow tree. It is the story behind these items that has allowed this beautiful design to maintain its collectible fan base.

Blue Willow China

THE BLUE WILLOW LEGEND

A Mandarin had a stunningly beautiful daughter, Koong-se, who fell in love with her fathers employed secretary, Chang Who. The Mandarin man who thought the secretary as a unworthy suitor of his daughter forbid them to see each other and banished the secretary. He then built a fence around the gardens of his estate so that Chang could no longer look upon his daughter and Koong-se could only walk in the gardens and to the water's edge.

Not soon afterwords Koong-se discovered that she had been betrothed to a noble warrior, Ta-jin. While many women of her time would have been pleased with this arrangement, Koong-se was desperate and when it was announced that her future husband, the noble warrior, was to arrive bearing a gift of jewels to celebrate his betrothal.

After the banquet thrown to announce her marriage Chang borrowed the robes of a servant and passed through the guests without incident and enteredKoong-se's room. They passionately embraced and vowed to run away together. The Mandarin, the Duke, the guests, and all the servants had too much to drink the couple almost got away without being noticed, but Koong-se's father saw her at the last minute and gave chase across the bridge.

The two lovers escaped and stayed with a maid that Koong-se's father had dismissed for conspiring with the couple. Not one to give up so easily, the Mandarin had sent out spies to search for the couple and one night one of these spies reported that a man was hiding in a house down by the river. Guards raided the house and but Chang had jumped into the ragging torrent to escape and Koong-se thought that he had drowned. A few days later the guards returned to search the house again. While Koong-se's maid talked to them, Chang came by boat to the window and took Koong-se away to safety.

After they escaped they settled on a distant island, and over the years Chang became famous for his writings. This ultimately was a fatal mistake as the Mandarin learned about him and sent his guards to destroy him. Chang was put to the sword and Koong-se set fire to the house while she was still inside. After they had both perished the gods, touched by their love, immortalized them as two doves, eternally flying together in the sky.

BLUE WILLOW COLLECTORS

In my family, the Blue Willow China has been passed down for generations. There is a unique story behind each piece and these stories are what make each dish, platter, gravy boat or any other piece priceless! These stories are told each and every year when our family gathers for the Holidays and we set the table with this dinnerware.

I am trying to find what a complete place setting is considered. I have Royal China Blue Willow Ware. I would like to know what pieces I need to have a complete place setting. Obviously I need a dinner plate, but I have not been able to find a list of all of the blue willow ware manufactured by Royal China. Thanks for any help you can give.

www.myantiquechinaonline.com Collecting And History Of Blue Willow China I have seen credit given for the willow china pattern given to at least two different people. One would be Thomas Turner who is said to have introduced the famous design in about 1780. The original copper plate for his design was engraved by Thomas Minton and is still preserved at Coalport China. The most reported story says that the willow design was the creation of Josiah Spode, a derivation of an original Chinese pattern called Mandarin. Spode developed his willow pattern sometime around 1790.

I've been looking for Willow Blue Wedgwood online, but can't find the authentic wedgwood only imitations and the asian moderation's. does anyone know of anywhere i can buy real, english made, blue willow wedgwood?
thanks!

N the tavern of my heart
Many a one has sat before,
Drunk red wine and sung a stave,
And, departing, come no more.
When the night was cold without,
And the ravens croaked of storm,
They have sat them at my hearth,
Telling me my house was warm.

As the lute and cup went round,
They have rhymed me well in lay;--
When the hunt was on at morn,
Each, departing, went his way.
On the walls, in compliment,
Some would scrawl a verse or two,
Some have hung a willow branch,
Or a wreath of corn-flowers blue.

Ah! my friend, when thou dost go,
Leave no wreath of flowers for me;
Not pale daffodils nor rue,
Violets nor rosemary.
Spill the wine upon the lamps,
Tread the fire, and bar the door;
So despoil the wretched place,
None will come forevermore.

please help, honestly its really improtant...

My sister just named her baby girl Hollister Azula! I don't like it; can you give me some feed back? She can still change the name. She wants me to help her change it though. I have the following names to choose from:
Gertrude
Oasis
Palmasla
Honey
Sugar
Dew
Pumpkin
Cherry
Peach
Melony (has to be spelled that way)
Aquamarine
Love
Carmel
Seed
Understanding
Freedom
Peace
Sunburst
Star
Topaz
Sapphire
Feather
Lavender
Rainbow
Sunshine
Butterfly
Blue
Opal
Peaceful
Meadow
Melancholy
Ocean
River
Ryver
Liberty
Peaceful Willow
Tangerine Dream
Ember Rose
Georgia Rain
Griffen Liberty
Holidais Peace
Ilia Raye

Lost in love,theres no way to know.But for me forever true.Maybe only lust.But she will always be as precious as the rarest blue diamond,or a ruby red locket on her neck.This glow I see thats in her eyes.I want so very much more.Each time I see her precious smile.I pull her close to me.As each day ends and night time comes.We both turn in for bed.The love within our precious dance.Will always overflow.So is it true love.There is no one who really can say.But the moment of love will always last.As evening breaks for day.

This poem is in my new book.The book is called"the cries of a willow tree." What do you think of this poem.What does that name sound like for a book of poetry.

Drifting with Just Drift. Drifting my 1988 original Turbo II Rx7. Stock engine, except for HKS air filter, and gutted cat.

with Willow and Curlz to watch Brokeback Mountain will Mystery Man come over wearing his purple or royal blue stilettos?

Out of ten and reasons why please

Clairzie Jane
Lola Mariangela
Willow Harper
Caprice Lumi
Patience Leoni
Rose Madeleine
Eloise Blue
Kaya MacKenzie
Amie Evanna
Lilah Francesca