17 3/4" Blue Willow Transferware Platter

Discover the beauty of the 17 1/2" Blue Willow Transferware Platter - a stunning addition to any collection. This elegant piece is sure to captivate with its intricate design and vibrant blue color. Display it proudly and enchant your guests with its timeless charm. 

In very good condition - no cracks. Shows wear from years of use! Please see pictures as they are part of the description. 

Measures: 17 3/4" long x 14" wide x 3" deep

the story behind the Blue Willow pattern is one of forbidden, star-crossed love! According to collectors, the pattern tells the story of a wealthy merchant named Tso Ling who had a beautiful daughter named Kwang-se.

The father and daughter resided in a beautiful pagoda, situated under a pine tree next to a bridge. Tso Ling promised his daughter's hand in marriage to a wealthy businessman associate of his. Unbeknownst to Tso Ling,  Kwang-se fell in love with Chang, her father's kind and handsome but poor clerk.

When Tso Ling found out about the secret relationship, he was furious. To prevent the affair from interfering with the plans he made for his Kwang-se, he kept Kwang-se locked up.  The two managed to elope across the sea to a cottage.

As legend has it, Tso Ling would not stand for this and went after them by boat. He was about to have them killed when the gods intervened and transformed the lovers into turtle doves.

Look closely at the plates and you'll notice several features of the story, including the two doves gazing into each other's eyes at the top of the design. As you might imagine, the dramatic story has inspired many plays, books, poems and, of course, beautiful ceramics of all shapes and colors.