A stanning dark blue rectangular blue transferware ironstone platter featuring the ever so popular Blue Willow pattern which gained notoriety at the end of the 18th century in England when it was developed as an adaptation of the hand-painted blue and white Chinese ware at the time.
The blue in this one is much darker, almost black, which makes for a fantastic unique take on the Blue Willow pattern.
Platter has holes on the back rim for wall hanging and it would look gorgeous mixed in with other china on a wall display! You may also display it in your china cabinet or use it to layer your tablescapes. And if you are a Blue Willow collector or just now starting to collect this fantastic pattern, this very large platter is a fabulous find.
- 18.5"L x 14"W x 2"H
- Made in Japan circa 1960s and imported to the US by AA Imports St Louis MI
- In excellent vintage condition, no chips or cracks
Fun fact: the story behind the Blue Willow pattern goes something like this: long ago, when China was ruled by emperors, a wealthy mandarin, Tso Ling, lived in a magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and in front of which is seen the graceful lines of the fence. Tso Ling had a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father's clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island. The father pursued and caught the lovers and was about to have them killed when the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves. These are the doves seen gazing into each other's eyes at the top of the design on the plates.
