As the story goes, there once lived a monarch who kept his daughter captive in their home away from her love. Some how the couple managed to run away together and board a waiting boat that was to take them away to live happily ever after.
As they sailed away, a terrible storm happened at sea and the couple was never seen again. But high in the sky flew a pair of Love Birds thought to be the loving couple.
The pattern is the same on all the vintage to reproduction dishes, but how you can tell a repro from a vintage, is the birds. New plates have thin birds where as the vintage plates have plump full birds. The same is true for the additional pieces like cups, saucers, bowls and such.
I have a combination of two sets of these dishes handed down from my grandmother to my mother and then on to me. I had them stored away till recently when I decided to add them to my Tuscan kitchen. They look amazing and remind me of many wonderful memories and happy dinners through the years with family and friends.
Recently when I was antiquing, I can say that Blue Willow is still very collectible and sought after by collectors and dishaholics like me.
So glad you stopped by today, I hope you will visit again later this week as I have a special home tour planned with my dear friend Lorri. You will love visiting her home and the special touches she has added. It will be a treat for me to introduce her to you and share her many talents and love of home decor and decorative painting. Hope to see you soon. Till then, on our way to Lorri's. Blessings always, Celestina Marie
21 comments:
This is a popular pattern still, even in our antique shop. There are several different versions of this pattern by different companies ... the birds, the trees, the ships, the house, the bridge all vary just a bit once you get used to looking for the differences by the makers. My mother loved her set.
How lovely you have them, the memories will flood you with each use. The table setting is marvelous, warm & elegant.
Thank you for sharing. Hope you had a lovely holiday. TTFN ~Marydon
I do so love Blue Willow..... your tea pot is lovely..... I have a children's book about the legend of Blue Willow...... ahhhh such a perfect blue..
HUgs
Linda
I love blue willow. I knew the legend but didn't know how to tell the difference between new and old with the size of the birds. The willow looks great in your kitchen!
Hi Celestina Marie,
What a lovely post and your old pieces are wonderful.
That was interesting how to decipher between the genuine and the copies, with the plump bird.
I have some blue and white Calico and it always looks so pretty.
I hope that you are having a happy week.
Hugs
Carolyn
My Mom had those dishes when I was growing up. I always loved them. We lost them in a flood when I was little. I never knew there was a legend. Thanks for bringing back some beautiful memories.
Willow
Blue Willow in any style reminds me of my mother. She had blue willow/onion dishes and our fancy dinners always included them. I can't pass them up without thinking of her and my childhood.
I've got to catch up on my reading my friend. Been missin' you!
xoxRebecca
Those are so perfect in your Tuscan setting! I would have never thought so until you demonstrated that.
How lucky you are to have such beauties that create those precious family memories.
Thanks for visiting the cottage and your kind comments.
Hugs,
Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage
Hi Celeste,
Thank you for stopping by earlier last week. I have been thinking of you daily and have not had a chance to blog until today.
DH and I have been over-working ourselves cleaning, purging and building a new studio for me in our basement. It has been weeks and weeks of non-stop, go, go, go. Then when the 4th finally came, I was so tired I couldn't get out of bed most of the weekend. I'm finally beginning to feel myself today, so I'm hopping around blogging.
I hope you had a great fourth and a wonderful week ahead my sweet friend.
xo Cathy
I had never heard of the stories attached to Blue Willow. I see them everywhere, but now I will be sure to find out what the story is behind the specific pattern. It is really a pretty traditional china, and will always be popular, like toile. Thanks Celeste, for sharing that. Cannot wait to see your friend's house!
How beautiful! I love the blue in your home! I hope to find some for my kitchen now that it is painted blue!
I too have a set of these... They were my Grandmothers. I only use them on special occasions.....
Lovely Post!
Love,
Marilyn
The dishes are soooo pretty and you did a lovely tablescape with them.
I've never heard that sweet story before. I hope you get to have many more family dinners with them making great memories.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Oh how I love blue willow. I have been collecting them since I first got married. Thank you for sharing some of the history behind them. I never knew this.
Love & Prayers,
Ronda
Beautiful Post. My mum has a teaset and other pieces that I love in blue willow.
Hugs
Sonia
PS Thank you for coming by. Glad you where able to visit.
Hugs
Sonia
Aaawwwww i love the story. I like reading stories and this one is just so sweet.
Hhhmmm I guess the saying "Love conquers all" is really true :-) And how wonderful that the two lovers are not forgotten at all. Their story will live on through the blue birds. :-)
Mizpah
Li
Wow! What a lovely piece. Thanks for sharing the story behind it.
That is a most beautiful table setting Dear.I've always loved these kind of plates.My mother had the designe,I don't know what its called,but it had the winmill on them.I think a Dutch scene.Anyway,I love this tablescape...XXOO Marie Antionette
I also have blue willow dishes which they arent old. They are so classic. I like your blue glasses and also coffeepot. I finally posted on my blog. I scrolled down on your blog and want to give a hug to your sweet doggy. Hugs Sally
Hello Celeste, How special to have your Grandma's dishes. I know you remember your favorite meal she fixed too:)I remember sweet tea,fresh garden tomatoes,and banana pudding...I have my grandma's table,chairs and buffet. I have blue plates around my mirror. When I use her things I can see her sweet face.
Have a lovely day.Hugs Mary:)
Hi Celeste! What pretty Blue Willow you have. Had never heard the legend before ~ very interesting. Now I have to run see if my birdies are thin or fat....
Love you,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Thank you so much for sharing the story. I just posted a Blue Willow Table setting 2 days ago. I wish I had the cobalt blue glasses that you do, it would have made it really perfect!!Come see how pretty it turned out! I would love to have the teapot and a platter and serving bowl to go with it!!
Have a great weekend!
Love Lilly
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