The Vermont Country Store's Blue Willow dinnerware set is a timeless and elegant collection that brings a touch of vintage charm to your dining experience. Originally created in England in 1780, the Blue Willow pattern has graced the tables of British aristocrats and everyday Americans, becoming one of the world's most iconic and recognisable designs. The set includes dinner plates, soup bowls, salad plates, mugs, and more, crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ironstone. Each piece is unique, made using a copper plate instead of a decal, with slight variations known as the Charm of the Ware. Embrace the beauty of tradition and elevate your everyday meals into memorable occasions with the Blue Willow collection from The Vermont Country Store.
What You'll Learn
Blue Willow Dinner Plates
The Blue Willow pattern, originally created in England in 1780, has become one of the most iconic and recognisable patterns in the world. The design features on dinnerware from The Vermont Country Store, including the Blue Willow Dinner Plates. These plates measure 10-1/4" in diameter and are crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ironstone. The plates are available to buy as a set of four, and coordinating items such as bowls and salad plates are available to buy separately.
The Blue Willow pattern features a pagoda or teahouse, a bridge with three figures crossing it, and two signature birds in flight. The design was first created by Thomas Turner and was inspired by motifs hand-painted on ceramic pieces imported from China to England. The pattern has been in continuous use for nearly 230 years and has become a collector's item.
The Blue Willow Dinner Plates from The Vermont Country Store are produced by Churchill China of England, who have been making their Willow Pattern China for over 200 years. Each piece is crafted using a copper plate, not a decal, meaning no two pieces are exactly alike—a characteristic that Blue Willow calls the "Charm of the Ware".
The Blue Willow collection from The Vermont Country Store includes a range of dinnerware and kitchen items, such as bowls, mugs, salad plates, a sugar and creamer set, a tidbit tray, a teacup saucer, and a gravy boat. The store also offers unique and difficult-to-find pieces, such as serving platters, pitchers, spoons, egg cups, and children's sets.
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Blue Willow Bowls
The Blue Willow Bowls are part of the Blue Willow collection by The Vermont Country Store. The collection features the classic Blue Willow pattern, which was originally created in England in 1780 and has since become one of the most popular patterns in the world. The Blue Willow Bowls are available in sets of four and come in different varieties, including fruit bowls, soup bowls, and salad bowls. Each bowl in the set is crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ironstone.
The Blue Willow pattern features a pagoda or teahouse, a bridge with three figures crossing it, and two signature birds in flight. The design was inspired by motifs hand-painted on ceramic pieces imported from China to England in the 1780s. The pattern's colour, blue, also has a special significance, as it was often used on plates in restaurants and diners from the 1920s to the 1950s, giving rise to the term "Blue Plate Special".
The Blue Willow collection from The Vermont Country Store includes a range of dinnerware and kitchen items beyond the bowls. You can find dinner plates, coffee mugs, salad plates, sugar and creamer sets, tidbit trays, teacup saucers, gravy boats, and large serving bowls. Each piece in the collection is designed to bring a touch of vintage allure and timeless elegance to your kitchen and dining experience.
The Blue Willow Bowls, along with the other items in the collection, are perfect for those who appreciate classic designs and want to add a touch of refinement to their everyday meals. Whether you're building upon an existing collection or starting a new one, the Blue Willow Bowls from The Vermont Country Store are a great choice for adding a cherished piece of history to your dining experience.
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Blue Willow Mugs
The Blue Willow pattern, originally created in England in 1780, has become one of the most iconic and recognisable patterns in the world. The design features a pagoda or teahouse, a bridge with three figures crossing it, and two signature birds in flight. The story goes that the two birds were once forbidden lovers, now transformed and flying away to be together.
The Blue Willow Coffee Mug set from The Vermont Country Store is a great way to add to your collection or start a new one. The set of four mugs is crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ironstone, making them both beautiful and functional for everyday use. Each mug is made using a copper plate, not a decal, which means no two mugs are exactly alike—a unique feature that Blue Willow calls the "Charm of the Ware".
The Blue Willow mugs are a great addition to any kitchen, with their timeless design and functional sophistication. The delicate motifs and intricate details of the Blue Willow pattern add a touch of refinement to your coffee or tea ritual. The mugs also make a perfect gift, offering a timeless piece that is a thoughtful and elegant present.
The Blue Willow collection from The Vermont Country Store invites you to embrace the beauty of tradition with a touch of vintage allure. The Blue Willow pattern has graced tables for generations, and now you can bring this iconic design into your home with their kitchen collection.
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Blue Willow Salad Plates
The Blue Willow Salad Plates, sold by The Vermont Country Store, are a set of four elegant and timeless plates. The Blue Willow pattern was originally created in England in 1780 and has since become one of the most iconic and recognisable designs in the world. The pattern can be found on the dinner tables of British aristocrats and everyday Americans alike, and the term "Blue Plate Special" originates from these plates, which were commonly used in restaurants and diners from the 1920s to the 1950s.
The Blue Willow Salad Plates measure 10-1/4" in diameter and are crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ironstone. Each piece is made using a copper plate, not a decal, which means no two pieces are exactly alike—a characteristic that Blue Willow calls the "Charm of the Ware". The plates are part of a larger Blue Willow collection offered by The Vermont Country Store, which includes fruit bowls, soup bowls, dinner plates, coffee mugs, sugar and creamer sets, tidbit trays, teacup saucers, and gravy boats.
The Blue Willow pattern features a pagoda or teahouse, a bridge with three figures crossing it, and two signature birds in flight. The design tells the story of two forbidden lovers, who were said to have been transformed into the two prominent birds, flying away to be together. The pattern has been in continuous use for nearly 230 years, so you can be confident that these plates will likely never go out of style. The Blue Willow collection by The Vermont Country Store is produced by Churchill China of England, which has been manufacturing this pattern for over 200 years.
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Blue Willow China History
Blue Willow China is a distinctive and elaborate chinoiserie pattern used on ceramic tableware. It is a timeless blend of history, charm and tradition. The pattern is based on a Chinese legend and features a large and magnificent Chinese dwelling, by the side of which rare trees are growing. It is the home of a mandarin, whose daughter falls in love with the mandarin's secretary. When their affair is discovered, the mandarin forbids them from meeting and builds a fence to keep them apart. The mandarin plans for his daughter to marry a powerful Duke. However, the lovers elope, eventually settling on an island. Years later, the Duke finds them and kills the secretary, and the daughter dies of a broken heart. The gods, pitying the pair, turn them into a pair of doves.
The pattern was developed in England in the late 1700s, although it is based on similar blue landscape designs in Chinese porcelain. It was created by engraver Thomas Minton, who sold the design to potter Thomas Turner, who mass-produced the pattern on earthenware. It was then produced by several English potteries, including Royal Worcester, Spode, Adams and Wedgwood. It is still produced today.
The Blue Willow pattern is highly symbolic, with many motifs from the legend incorporated into the design. These include the fence the father built, the bridge the lovers cross to escape, the willow and stream by which the daughter walks, and the two doves at the top of the design, representing the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
The Blue Willow pattern was originally created in England in the 1780s and has since become one of the most popular patterns in the world. The design typically includes a pagoda or teahouse, a bridge with three figures crossing it, and two signature birds in flight.
The "Charm of the Ware" refers to the fact that no two pieces of Blue Willow dinnerware are exactly alike. Each piece is made using a copper plate, not a decal, ensuring a unique design.
The Vermont Country Store offers Blue Willow dinnerware pieces both individually and in sets. You can purchase mugs, dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls in sets of four. They also offer unique pieces like serving platters, pitchers, spoons, egg cups, and children's sets.