A Treasured Love

I have been in love with blue willow china for as long as I can remember .

My Grandma had several pieces .

I can remember my Papa drinking his morning coffee out of one of the cups and saucers .

First he would pour hot coffee into the cup

then pour some of it into the saucer to cool . He would sip the cooled coffee from the saucer .

Many years later I was watching the movie Paint Your Wagon

and

Clint Eastwood was drinking his coffee the same way from a blue willow cup and saucer !

When my son was small we went to many garage sales

and

I found so many pieces . I paid almost nothing for them .

Now I rarely find any and it is very expensive when I do !

I have a very large collection .

My favorite pieces are marked on the back JAPAN in black .

I use blue willow china everyday but I use the newer  made  blue willow

because it safe to eat from  . The older pieces contain lead .

Dax and Petra eat pancakes every morning on my blue willow plates .

I am drawn to the romantic elements of the designs on the pieces .

Each piece bears the same elements of

doves kissing in midair above a graceful willow tree,

a pagoda,

a bridge where three small figures hurry,

a fence, an island

and

a man in a boat .

They tell the story of this best known tale first printed in an English magazine in 1849
that recounts the romance between
a young well born maiden, Koong Shee,

and her star crossed lover, Chang .
As they fled her arranged marriage they were pursued and killed .
Merciful gods turned the pair into birds
flying together across a china sky forever!

I have many lovely reasons to treasure this china forever!

Dottie

♥

I am linking to A Favorite Thing.