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Page 20 The Antique Shoppe October, 2017
Another legend states that Spode first Chinese tale born in England, and the closest the story ever got to being Chinese is when,
used the now famous Blue Willow pattern following World War II, Chinese potteries exported Blue Willow ware to an unsuspecting
in its “canonical” willow pattern in 1784. world.
Not long after Spode’s introduction of the Collectors ignore the Chinese ware and seek genuine English pottery. And while
pattern, ceramic makers (such as Adams, some 19 century Blue Willow ware is available from time to time, the price, for quality
th
Wedgewood, Clews, Davenport, and pieces, is too costly for most collectors, who often seek 20 century Blue Willow ware
th
Swansea) began producing Blue Willow since it is more affordable.
ware. Many of these late 1700s - early Twentieth century English manufacturers of Blue Willow transfer china
1800s pieces were designed with the popular include Crown Ducal, Enoch Wood, Royal Staffordshire, Royal Crownford, Alfred
fretted border and fence in the background. Meakin (Tunstall), Spode, Johnson Brothers, and Mason’s. However, not all English
Although Blue Willow’s precise heritage Willow ware is valuable. A Royal Wessex bread plate, marked “Royal Wessex Made in
is in dispute, no one argues the romantic England” can still be purchased for around $15 on eBay.
story that the pattern tells: “A rich Mandarin One American importer that has always been collectible is Homer Laughlin. Vintage
arranged a ‘suitable’ marriage for his Laughlin Blue Willow plates often sell in the $275 range.
Enoch Wedgwood Blue Willow tip bowl; $25. daughter Traditionally, only plates have
Koon-see. manufacturer’s marks, so cups,
When the bowls, candlesticks, and other Blue
Mandarin learned that his personal accountant Chang Willow items are difficult if not
and Koon-see were in love and wished to marry, the impossible to date. Some pieces do
Mandarin forbade the union and locked Koon-see away include the country of origin on the
in a house by a lake. But Chang managed to find and bottom, but some do not. If a plate is
free his love. When the Mandarin received this news, marked, a collector may use the mark
he and two of his men set out after the lovers and were to trace manufacturer and, possibly,
in the process of crossing a bridge when they caught date of manufacture.
sight of the couple sailing away in a boat. Koon-see As with all collectibles, condition
and Chang found a pagoda in which they hid, but the Antique, Spode Blue Willow demi and rarity sets the price for Blue
Mandarin, bent on vengeance, found their hiding place tasse espresso set with eight gold- Willowware. But let the buyer
and burned it to the ground, killing his daughter and her rimmed cups, circa 1880s; $430. beware! Blue Willow has never been
lover. However, true love triumphed when the young out of production since its origin,
lovers were transformed into birds, rose from the flames, so it is a field where considerable
and flew into eternity together.” knowledge is desired. Also, some
Don’t be fooled into believing the story is true. The story was the well-conceived dealers call every china piece that is
advertising child of English potters, who wished to sell their wares to romantic spirits. blue, white, and transferred “Blue
This made-up fable, based on elements of the design, helped boost Blue Willow into Willow,” but unless it tells the love
one of the most widely produced domestic china patterns of the late 18 and early 19 story of Koon-see and Chang, it isn’t
th
th
centuries in England, and it is still a popular pattern today. Still, it was a for-profit, truly Blue Willow.

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