If you guessed that last week’s photo was a Blue Willow China Plate, then you would be correct.
Blue Willow china was the prominently used dinnerware set used by the Victorians, and tells the story of two forbidden lovers.
The Victorians loved the oriental, and associated owning Asian-inspired items as being wealthy and well-travelled.
The pattern itself originates from England, when Thomas Turner introduced the design in 1780. His design, engraved for press by Thomas Minton, is one that continued to be popular long after both were deceased. The image on the china contains three distinct images, the bridge, garden fence, and central pair of birds, which inspired many tales to go along with the image.
The most common story goes as follows:
Once upon a time, a Chinese mandarin and his beautiful daughter lived in a castle on an island. As a child she played under a willow tree with a poor boy named Chang, with whom she later fell in love. When the girl’s father forbade her to see her beloved, the willow tree sadly drooped its branches—and has since been known as a weeping willow.
In the meantime, the mandarin had arranged a marriage for his daughter with a wealthy viceroy, named Ta-jin. The girl did not want to marry Ta-jin, and instead arranged to elope with Chang. A faithful servant helped the lovers escape over a bridge, and they sailed away and build a home on a faraway island.
Years later, after Chang had left his successful tilling business to retire and enjoy literature; he would eventually go on to write a book himself, which caught the attention of Ta-jin. Still furious of their escape, Ta-jin set out to the island to seek revenge.
Both the lovers died that day, and when they passed, they were changed into immortal doves, so that they could be together freely, in peace.
Did you know about the history of this week’s item? Now see if you can guess next week’s.
Next week’s “What’s It” item is…
