ROYAL TRADITIONS Blue Willow Salad Plates- Set of 2

Royal Traditions NEW Blue Willow Salad Plates Set of 2 Lovely Birds/Florals Pagoda Asian Color: Blue/white Measures 8” . Fine Stoneware Double glazed Authentic "Royal Traditions" Blue insignia/ "Dishwasher & Microwave Oven safe" on reverse About Blue Willow- Even though the Blue Willow pattern has a Chinese look and story (more on that later), it was actually created in England in 1780 by engraver Thomas Minton. Then, Minton sold the design to potter Thomas Turner who mass-produced the pattern on earthenware. This is known as chinoiserie, basically European interpretations of Chinese decorative styles. Chinoiserie was very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ultimately, many countries produced it, but it wasn’t made in China until the mid-1980s. To be a true Blue Willow pattern it must include: * willow trees * Chinese pine trees (commonly confused as apple or orange trees) * a bridge with three men on it * a fence * a boat * a teahouse (or pagoda) and * two birds in flight. When Blue Willow was created, many of the expensive Chinese pottery imports were hand-painted. Blue Willow is often cited as one of the first "transferware" prints. Transfer prints started with engravers who etched the pattern into a copper plate that was printed onto porcelain, china or earthenware. Later the pattern was transferred onto paper making it easier to cheaply mass produce.