Saturday, February 7, 2015

Blue Willow a Timeless Treasure

Popular today as it was many years ago. 
Is Blue Willow dishware. 
Beautiful blue and white with two Love Birds flying face to face in the pattern.

As the story goes, there once lived a monarch 
who kept his daughter captive in their home away from her love. 
Somehow the couple managed to run away together
 and board a waiting boat that was to take them away to live happily ever after.


As they sailed away, a terrible storm happened at sea and the couple was never seen again. But high in the sky flew a pair of Love Birds thought to be the loving couple.

The pattern is the same on all the vintage to reproduction dishes, 
but how you can tell a repro from a vintage, is the birds. 

New plates have thin birds where as the vintage plates have plump full birds. 
The same is true for the additional pieces like cups, saucers, bowls and such.

I have a combination of two sets of these dishes, 
handed down from my grandmother to my mother and then on to me.

 I will always love setting a table with them as they remind me of many wonderful memories and happy dinners through the years with family and friends.

When out antiquing, I can say that Blue Willow
 is still very collectible and sought after by collectors and dishaholics like myself.

The table design below is my antique kitchen table I hand painted about 15 years ago
with a Tuscan design of fruit on a crackle aged background.
Since this photo, I have re-painted it creamy off white for my  new kitchen design.
I do miss this design at times, but hey,  it's only paint
and I can paint it again if I choose.




Whether the story is true or not,
The romance of the birds is charming, don't you think?

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Be Blessed and Southern DayDreams

Celestina Marie

41 comments:

Art and Sand said...

What a lovely story and beautiful dishes. I love that they have so much meaning for you.

Sola Scriptura said...

I love Blue Willow dishware, my 94 year old grandmother has a lovely collection. I've never heard this story about the dishes, I shall have to share the story with my grandmother.
Your kitchen table is extraordinary!

Susan' Hearts and Flowers said...

I always loved the Blue Willow pattern. You are so right it is a classic.

EG CameraGirl said...

Thank you for sharing the Blue Willow love story!

Jan Hermann said...

I love the Blue Willow Story...and the dishes!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning beautiful one...how LOVELY is this blue surprise! This is the color of heaven, I am SURE OF IT! Well, at least for my imagination! The coolness but also the warmth of the cobalt hue is so satisfying! I hope you are enjoying your weekend?I AM! Reading and writing are all I'm doing today, and with my husband. Tomorrow, I am going to COMMON GROUND bookstore, whose proprietor is Garrison Keller from the Prairie Home Companion. Well, BILLY COLLINS, my favorite living poet is doing a reading there tomorrow at 2:00. I am getting there at 11:00 to beat the crowd!

Well my friend, much love to you and enjoy your weekend, Anita

Feral Turtle said...

I never even considered there was a story behind one of my favorite dish patterns! Thanks for sharing!

Sandi said...

Interesting! I wonder why they changed the birds?

Sandi said...

I have to agree with Sola Scriptura in the comment at the top. That IS an extraordinary table!

TexWisGirl said...

i've never heard of it before but i like any type of asian art!

Cynthia said...

Celeste what beautiful dishes and story. I must live under a rock. I never knew the story. Have a great weekend

Cindy

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful, we used to have those at home, too! Hugs, Valerie

Anonymous said...

HI Celeste! Oh, I do love Blue Willow and have a nice set myself. How nice yours were passed down through your family. My mom and dad gave me mine in the 1980s and I pick up a piece each time I can.
Have a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Rue said...

What a lovely story! I love things with history, as you know ;)

xo

Ginny said...

One of my classic favorites. However, I do not own any. Your table looked so pretty with the Blue Willow!

Dreaming of Vintage said...

I love that beautiful blue dishware too! It's gorgeous and a classic!

1CardCreator said...

I had never heard the story, so sweet and the dishes are timeless for sure, I remember growing up with them too! Your painted table is stunning, as all your hand painted items are. ~Diane

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

There's certainly something charming, and kind of nostalgic, about willow pattern. Dishaholic?!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

It is such a classic. I don't own any but have often checked it out. I just visited an antique store today and saw a bit of it. I don't know or remember what dishes my grandmother had- with her four daughters things got disbursed. I like the story that goes with the pattern- gotta love a story about love and passion! Have a wonderful weekend!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

How delightful the story is about the Blue Willow. It is great that you have yours from your grandma to mother and then you. Wonderful memories.
There is a wonderful restaurant, old Southern Mansion in Social Circle, GA called the Blue Willow. It is all buffet style = and the food all southern. Fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with wonderful delish gravy, green beans, fried chicken, biscuits, just to name a few of the dishes they serve. They have Blue Willow dishes when I was there about 8 years ago. The desserts, omg they are to die for. So if you are ever in GA and close to Atlanta, try this wonderful restaurant and you will feel that Scarlet and Rhett will be coming down the stair case.
Have a wonderful week.
Mary

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

It is a good story! I still love my blue!!
warmly,
deb

Julie Marie said...

Oh but of course it is true dear Celeste... I believe... and I too treasure my vintage Blue Willow that belonged to my mama... it sits in my corner hutch in my breakfast nook where I can see it every day... and I still have my tea in one of my mamas cups... I think it is just about the loveliest china there is... yours is beautiful and full of so many precious memories for you... xoxo... Julie Marie

Laurie said...

I, too, love Blue Willow. I have a nice sized set of the repro kind with a couple of vintage pieces sprinkled in. The look is timeless.

Dianna said...

Hello Celeste,

Your Blue Willow dishware is beautiful. My grandmother had a complete set. I believe it was passed on to one of my brothers. I was given her pink depression glass.

Your table is amazing, my friend. You possess such a special gift.

Hugs to you and warm wishes for a wonderful remainder to your weekend.

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Celestina Marie,

Blue Willow pattern has always been a favourite of mine too.
When I first started working my first pay went on a blue willow pattern set.
Love your pretty pieces and the story to go behind it.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Donna said...

Your blue willow is so pretty, Celestina! I think it will always be popular, it really is timeless. So neat to learn some of the history, I had no idea about the birds and how to tell reproductions. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Stephanie said...

What a charming story, my friend, one I had no heard until now.

I agree with the others, your table is extraordinary :) Hugs, love, and blessings to you!

Createology said...

I do love blue and white and these dishes are classic. The story of the Love Birds is sweet and good comes from tragedy. Weekend Bliss...

cynthia lee designs said...

Love the story and the dishes!!
~Cindy

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Such pretty dishes, Celeste, and I love that they have a story behind the pattern. I love your table, too. It reminds me of our current round dining table (my kitchen table in our former home). Although, I didn't hand paint mine, I bought it that way.

Dorthe said...

A lovely, but also sad story dear Celestine Marie , and oh so beautiful is the Blue Willow , Here they are also now and then to be found , and I love them, too. For you it is even more special, that you have them from your grandmother and mother!!
Your table as it looked before, is wonderful, but I`m sure I would love it newpainted and offwhite, too.
Hugs,Dorthe

Anonymous said...

What a delightful story! Thank you for sharing it. Your place setting is lovely and such a treasure that it has been handed down throughout the years! Your table is fabulous; you have created a masterpiece!

Little Miss Maggie said...

Thanks so much for sharing that story about the love birds. It just so happens that my mother's pattern of everyday dishes was blue willow which were handed down to me and I still use them to this day each and every day. My children grew up with blue willow as well. I wonder if they will eventually want some of the pieces for themselves.

Alessandra said...

What a lovely story!Your dishes are just gorgeous and your table too. I love especially the meaning for you.
Kisses
Alessandra

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Celestina, You are teaching me so much today. I have pieces of Blue Willow from my mom and some that I have picked up here and there and didn't know how to tell them apart or the story of the love birds. The pieces from my Mom have the fatter birds and mine have a little of both. Your table was beautiful when you painted it as I'm sure it is now..Happy Tuesday..Judy

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

I never knew that the birds were different on older Blue Willow. Now I'll have to check my dishes!

S H Elliott said...

My grandmother also had blue willow. I have a very old creamer from my grandmother's old blue willow. Fun memories.
Sheila @ mykentuckyliving

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Celeste, I would have had a hard time painting over that beautiful design you originally did on the table. It is stunning, but I'm sure it looks pretty with the white top too. I love Blue Willow, and I love the story of it, but I never knew that the birds were plump on the newer pieces. I'll be more aware of that now.

Red Rose Alley said...

Loving your Blue Willow dishware, Celestina. Blue in the home is so pretty. I think blue china is the most lovely of all. You have set a beautiful table, and what a treasure that it was handed down to you by your grandmother.

love, ~Sheri

Linda Walker said...

What a lovely story! The dishes are so pretty and make an absolutely gorgeous table setting! I have to say that I love the way you painted that table! If must have been a little scary covering that beautiful design. But you are right! If is just paint! How blessed you are to have such a talent. You work never ceases to amaze me!
Hugs,
Linda

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

Awww! What a cute love story! Pretty dishes and I didn't know about the bird size. I'll definitely be looking now.

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..