Jingdezhen | Blue Willow, Soup Bowls c. 1980

A modern example of reinterpreted willow from Jingdezhen, China.

Of course it has the usual willow suspects 1. two birds 2. a bridge with servants in pursuit 3. the boat 4. the fence in the foreground 5. the trees (one apple/orange tree & one willow tree) 6. the houses (one pavilion/tea house and one additional house on an island in the background).

The bowl border is quite close to what is known as the rarer 'rock' pattern but has these star flower additions which seem to be exclusive to this manufacturer. It's also got a lot more white space than many other willow patterns, so stands out as minimalist and contemporary.

However why I really acquired this in the first place is because modern or not, its the only piece of china I've got - and willow china no less - which comes from Jingdezhen.

Jingdezhen is THE Porcelain Capital - and has been producing porcelain for over 1000 years (long before Minton, Spode, or Turner were twinkles in anyone's eyes). See reference Jingdezhen Porcelain.