The Willow Pattern is a distinctive and elaborate chinoiserie pattern used on ceramics, fabrics and wallpapers. It became popular at the end of the 18th century with English ceramics artists who combined and adapted motifs inspired by fashionable hand-painted blue-and-white wares imported from China. The evolution of this style occurred at a time when mass-production of decorative tableware, at Stoke-on-Trent and elsewhere, was already making use of engraved and printed glaze transfers referred to as decals todays, rather than hand-painting, for the application of ornament to standardised ceramic products in porcelain and fine bone china. Many different Chinese-inspired landscape patterns were at first produced in this way, both on bone china or porcelain wares, and on white earthenware or pearlware. The Willow pattern became the most popular and persistent of them, and in various permutations has remained in production to the present day. Characteristically the background colour is white and the image blue, but various factories have used other colours in monochrome tints and there are Victorian versions with hand-touched polychrome colouring on simple outline transfers. Artist, Mariko Jesse offers a modern twist on the classic Willow Pattern with a series of artworks, her take on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. Respecting the traditional motifs of these Chinese inspired landscapes that became fashionable in Europe in the late eighteenth century, her layout is executed in a modern topographical design. Mariko’s unique style lovingly depicts the wonders of nature on the Peak looking down to Central, Sheung Wan, Wanchai, Causeway Bay and across the harbour where we see the symbolic swallows representing star crossed lovers escaping to the hinterland. This is the first in a series of these exquisite designs with Kowloon, Stanley, Repulse Bay and Sai Kung coming soon. The unique Willow Pattern, classic yet contemporary is timeless in every way and these elegant ceramics are a perfect addition to your home décor. Exquisitely packaged, the Willow Pattern series make for perfect gifts such as weddings and birthday presents.
