The Legend of the Blue Willow China is the story about
2 "Love Doves" Koong and Chang....
This pattern was produced in England in the 1700's but probably was copied from a Chinese pattern. The legend about the china began around 1849 when it was printed in an English magazine as a very romantic story about a young couple.
A wealthy young woman named Koong fell in love with Chang who was just a poor secretary. She was forbidden to marry him or even see him. Her father demanded she stay at home and quickly made arrangements for her to marry a man of financial security.
Escaping from her home, she met up with Chang and the couple fled across a bridge to an island. In hot pursuit, Koong's father follows but suddenly the couple are transformed into love doves who fly away to safety.
No wonder we love this pattern so much - maybe your mother had it?
Reposted from 2009!
Hey Bernideen; I just love the story of Blue Willow, I used to collect it, had a lot of different pieces, but had to stop ran out of room. I have sold most of them but kept a few. I still love them... Thanks for the sweet story.
ReplyDeleteHugs;
Alaura
Hello it is me again;;; I just seen on your side bar you have some Laura Childs Tea Shop books, I just love reading them, how exciting to know some one else reads her, I have every one of her books, I can't wait to read the next new one. She is such a wonderful writer and really makes you feel like you are right in the book..... love it.
ReplyDeleteHugs;
Alaura
What a warming story as the contents of the pot.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a love story! Thank you for sharing it and your pictures as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful story. I do love Blue Willow.
ReplyDeleteMarcie
Hello Bernideen..great post! How I love blue and white. Have missed hearing from you. I know you're so busy but love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteLady Linda
How lovely!! I just found your blog and I too LOVE anything TEA.
ReplyDeleteI own this collection Blue Willow. I had heard some of the story years ago..but thank you for reminding me.
Looking forward to visiting you again. My craft blog has TEA luncheons I've done for my church.
Blessings
HOPE
It is such a beautiful romantic story and a beautiful pattern, I love it when I find a piece! Have you seen the Bradford Exchange statuette? http://home-and-garden.become.com/the-blue-willow-china-patterninspired-lady-figurine-collection--compare-prices--sc1047470498
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Thank you for sharing your beautiful post with A Return to Loveliness,
God Bless,
Kathy
Hi Bernideen,
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to find contact information so I can email you directly but I'm not finding anything. Sorry for having to leave this in a comment.
I'm looking for tea related guest posts for my blog. Please visit my blog & email me if interested you're interested. When you visit you'll see I have an audience that has great interest in tea. :-) www.smittenbybritain.com
Cheers!
Melissa
Such a neat story and well loved.
ReplyDeleteI only have a few pieces of Blue Willow, but sure do like them.
Suppose I will have to continue the hunt for them when I go thrifting!
God bless you and may you have a sweet Autumn.
d
I gave away all my bits of Willow pattern to a friend who was collecting same.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother had lots.
I love Blue Willow and have always thought it would be fun to decorate an entire room with Blue Willow fabrics and teawares!
ReplyDeleteI love a good story..Thanks for sharing …I only have a few plates and mugs from Blue Willow , but my daughter inherited small set from her grandmother… She adores it… as we all do …ENJOY the autumn while you can….Hugs
ReplyDeleteIt's such pretty china. Love blue. xoox Su
ReplyDeleteI wish that I had kept at least one piece of the set I had. Sigh. It's all water over the bridge now.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the history of Blue Willow, Bernideen. You've probably seen my posts of visits to the Blue Willow Tea Room just north of us, one finds all the china they use and have on display a real treat.
ReplyDeleteI do have some of the newer Blue Willow. How fun to read the legend behind it. Have a good love filled weekend Bernideen!
ReplyDeleteHi Bernideen. I love the story of the Blue Willow. That explains the bridge in the photo. I don't have any pieces. Maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteI always love that story! Makes the blue willow pattern even more special!
ReplyDeleteI love this story so very much, thank you for telling it and ... yes, I love the Blue Willow China and I have some pieces for tea I have inherited by ny mother, placed in the plate-rack my hubby did some years ago with some boards of old wood, where I keep all the old pieces in white and blu porcelain ... Oh, I also have a few dishes which belonged to my Grandmother, I was forgetting now !
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful end of your week, my sweetest Bernideen,
filled with so much love,
sending hugs to you, with thankfulness
Dany
Wonderful that you shared this here, Bernideen!
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ReplyDeleteI have bought and sold lots blue willow through out my life of collecting transferware dishes.
I still have 2 children s sets of this pattern.
That's sweet, I didn't know! My mom bought me a cup and saucer to begin my collection a couple years ago. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful legend. My doughter has some dishes with Blue Willow.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI never knew the story but have always loved this pattern!
One of my favorites is Blue Willow. Thanks for the interesting legend, Bernideen.....Christine
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a neat legend for such a pretty pattern. And so romantic to read on St. Valentine's Day! :)
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