BLUE WILLOW is the the most famous & most popular china pattern ever produced. It seems as if everyone's grandmother had at least a piece or two. This guide will give you some background on the history of Blue Willow china, familiarize you with some of the companies that produced or still produce it, as well as hints on how to buy & sell Blue Willow China on EBAY.

THE HISTORY OF BLUE WILLOW

I have seen credit given for the willow china pattern given to at least two different people. One would be Thomas Turner who is said to have introduced the famous design in about 1780. The original copper plate for his design was engraved by Thomas Minton and is still preserved at Coalport China.  The most reported story  says that the willow design was the creation of Josiah Spode, a derivation of an original Chinese pattern called Mandarin. Spode developed his willow pattern sometime around 1790. The traditional willow design always features a large beautiful Chinese home with willow tree, small bridge with  3 figures, a humble servants house at the foot of the bridge, a small Chinese boat & of course the famous love birds above the willow tree. The romantic lore of the design could have added to it's popularity over the years. The story goes something like this.......

The Legend of  Blue Willow

Long ago, in the days when China was ruled by emperors, a Chinese mandarin, Tso Ling, lived in the magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and in front of which is seen the graceful lines of the fence. Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island. The mandarin pursued and caught the lovers and was about to have them killed when the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves. These are seen gazing into each other’s eyes at the top of the design.  A lengthy and old Staffordshire poem of the pattern concludes with the verse: "In the oft quoted plate two birds are perceived, High in the heaven above: These are the spirits of Chang and Kwang-se, A twin pair of ever in love".

Companies That Produce Willow China

Due to Spode's obvious success with the Blue Willow design, many, many pottery & china companies went on to produce some version of it. Here is a list of manufacturers that I am familiar with that produced or still do produce Blue Willow.

• Adams
• Adderly
• Alfred Meakin
• Allerton
• Barratt
• Booths
• Buffalo (restaurantware & hotelware)
• Burslem
• Churchill
• Coalport
• Cuthbertson
• Homer Laughlin
• John Maddox & Sons
• Johnson Brothers
• McCoy Pottery
• Myott
• Made in China
• Made in Holland
• Made in Japan
• Maruta
• Moriyama Pottery (Japan)
• Norcrest
• Ridgeway
• Royal China
• Royal Doulton
• Royal Wessex
• Scio Pottery (Ohio)
• Spode
• Staffordshire
• Syracuse China(Restaurantware & Hotelware)
• Wedgewood

• Wood & Sons 

  

VARIETY OF WILLOW ITEMS

As the popularity of Blue Willow grew & grew over the years many companies begin to make a variety of merchandise to coordinate with the customer's china pieces. You can find just about anything in Blue Willow including but not limited to: glassware, wallpaper, linens , tablecloths & towels, flatware & cutlery, picture frames, piggy banks, cookware, enamelware, fabric, tins, needlepoint pillows & kits, planters, candles, switchplates, items for bed & bath, soap dishes, even paper products including paper plated & napkins!

Besides numerous price guides written to aid collectors, there is a child's story book entitled BLUE WILLOW  by  Doris Gates. You might enjoy recipes from The Blue Willow Inn Bible of Southern Cooking. 

 In 2005 there was even an animated short movie made in New Zealand that tells Blue Willow's story of love & family betrayal.

The willow design is also made in red (sometimes called red transferware, or pink willow), green, brown & multicolored.

RARE John Maddock & Sons Multi Colored Willow Plate C1896

How To Buy Blue Willow On EBAY

You can simply use the words Blue Willow in the search box.  If you have a lot of time on your hands this is great, you will have quite a few pages to go through. You can refine your search to a specific item ex: blue willow sugar bowl.

Ebay does have a distinct Blue Willow category under pottery & glass

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China >China, Dinnerware > BLUE WILLOW

Using this search though you may miss out on many blue willow items listed in other categories.

This Rare Blue Willow Toby Mug could be listed under

• Antiques > decorative arts > ceramics, porcelain or could be refined even more by clicking Staffordshire
• Collectibles > Decorative Collectibles > Other Brands
• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > Art Pottery >  Staffordshire
• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > Art Pottery > European Art

Sometimes sellers, especially new sellers, don't always know the correct category to list in. If you had gone to EBAY'S site map & found the BLUE WILLOW dinnerware category you would  have missed out on this great Toby.

Blue Willow was made by both Buffalo China & Syracuse China for restaurants & hotels all across the country. Don't forget to check

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China> China, Dinnerware > Restaurant Ware

It was also used by the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific Railroad. Search

• Collectibles > Transportation > Railroadiana, Trains > Hardware >  Dining Items

There are many Blue Willow pieces now being made in China. These are nice pieces to fill in your collection with & much more reasonable than antique or vintage pieces. There are sellers however that try to pass these newly produced items off as vintage or antique. Buy from reputable sellers with good feedback. My criteria for purchasing on EBAY is that the seller has to have a feedback rating above body temperature, 98.6. That's just my guideline, but may be one to consider.  Be sure to take into consideration the mailing cost of the items you are interested in.  If you have any questions about pottery or glassware you might want to visit the Pottery, Glass & Porcelain Community Discussion Board. They are very helpful people over there.

How To Sell Blue Willow on EBAY

First be sure what you have is actually blue willow. I have seen Flow Blue, Blue Onion, Blue Calico & other Blue Transferware advertised as Blue Willow on EBAY.

The most valuable Blue Willow items are the early English, Staffordshire & Spode pieces. The Mid Century Made in Japan pieces are growing in popularity as well & can command a good price on unusual styles. There are quite a few restaurantware collectors out there too, so the heavy restaurant weight china usually does well.

As I mentioned above don't get stuck always listing in 

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China >China, Dinnerware > BLUE WILLOW

Made in Japan (MIJ) pieces can be listed in

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > Art Pottery > Made in Japan 
•  Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > China, Dinnerware > Made in Japan

Childrens plates, cups & sets can be listed under

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > China, Dinnerware > childrens dishes

Childrens tea sets could be listed under

• Toys & Hobbies > Pretend Play, Preschool  >Dishes, Tea Sets

Adult tea sets or teapots could be listed under

• Pottery & Glass > Pottery & China > China, Dinnerware > Tea Pots Tea Sets

Many of the companies I listed above have specific EBAY categories as well, use specific categories if possible. Don't forget to list restaurant china under restaurantware  category.

Always give dimensions of your china pieces, don't assume the buyer knows the size. Describe any damage, cracks, chips, or crazing. Show a picture of the backstamp or manufacturer's mark. Take the best pictures possible as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Be sure to visit the Pottery, Glass & Porcelain Community Discussion Board if you need any help.

For questions on mailing & shipping check out the Packaging & Shipping Board.

Seller Central has lots of good discussions too.

Click on my ME PAGE to find a link to my website. Nanalulus Linens and Handkerchiefs.I am sure you will find treasures there you will love. Monogrammed, wedding, & embroidered handkerchiefs, bed and table linens, tea accoutrements and tea party accessories.

Click here to see my latest  Auction Treasures

I hope this guide was helpful for you. Good Luck & Have Fun Buying & Selling Blue Willow on EBAY