| CHINOISERIE
This term signifies the western imitation of Chinese or even Japanese patterns and motifs. In pottery, patterns range from direct copies of Chinese designs to fantastical scenes combining Chinese and western elements. Patterns such as these were very popular with the English for many years until tastes for more exotic and varied items gradually swept in. The blue "Willow" china pattern however, (pictured at right) has remained consistently popular.
There is an old Staffordshire song from the Potteries that goes:
Two pigeons flying high,
Chinese vessel sailing by.
Weeping willow hanging o'er,
Bridge of three men maybe four.
Chinese temples stand,
Seem to take up all the land.
Apple trees with apples on,
A pretty fence to end my song.
|
WILLOW
Royal Doulton Majestic Collection
Booth's "Real Old Willow"
Note the pattern and its parallel to the poem.
|
History has it that this rhyme was learned by young children in the Staffordshire area, as most of their fathers worked in the potteries, many producing blue "Willow" china pattern items. To this day, there is an air of mystery that still surrounds the origin of the legend, but the "Willow" china pattern, introduced by Josiah Spode from around 1790, was modeled from an early chinese design. Since that time, many potters have produced blue "Willow"china dinnerware, with its characteristic "Nankin" border.
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