1963.43

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Details

ID Number

1963.43

Category

T&E For Materials

Sub-category

food service T&E

Item Type

dinner

Item Name

plate

Materials

CLAY, STONEWARE

Description

Wide sloping rim; transfer print of pagoda in a garden, birds, bridge, boat, etc.

History

The "Willow pattern was one of the first under-glaze printed patterns on the market. In the 19th century, the sales of this pattern exceed all others exported to Canada. The pattern is still widely-known today. Contrary to popular belief, although "Willow" was Chinese inspired, it was not a true Chinese pattern. The "Willow" pattern was executed in England, and had many different versions. The "Old Chinese Legend", which supposedly goes with pattern, actually came after the pattern and greatly helped in selling the most popular version of the pattern, pictured in the plate displayed here. This created legend tells of "two lovers fleeing before a father's wrath and pursued by the rich mandarin who had been promised the young bride, of temporary escape by means of the boat to an island, of vengeance and tragedy, and the two souls changed into two immortal doves by the gods who pitied them" (Collard1984)

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Chinese subject

England / Angleterre place

Social life subject