For almost two centuries, the willow pattern has been the most popular design in pottery and generation of children have delighted in the quaint little figures, as they listened to the familiar old jingle -

Yet even today, many people have never heard the true story of the willow pattern. It tells of Knoon-shee, a lovely Chinese maiden, whose affections were bestowed upon her father's secretary, Chang, but who was commanded by her parents to wed a wealthy rival suitor. She refused to comply with their wishes, whereupon her enraged father locked her up in the little house just visible on the left of the temple. From here she contrived to send a message to her lover, 'Gather thy blossom, ere it be stolen.'

Thus encouraged, Chang succeeded in entering the apple orchard and carrying off his beloved.So we see them hurrying over the bridge. Knoon-shee with a distaff, and Chang carrying her box of jewels, pursued by the angry father brandishing a whip.

The lovers made good their escape in the 'little ship sailing by' and landed on the island, which can be seen on the left of the picture, where they took refuge in the little wooden house. But the father and discarded suitor tracked them and set fire to the house while they were sleeping and so the lovers perished.

Next morning their spirits rose, pheonix-like, in the form of two doves and we see them, with out-stretched wings, flying off to the realms of eternal happiness.

No one knows the origins of this story. It was told in China 2000 years ago and brought over to our country from Eastern lands by the Crusaders.

The willow pattern picture was first designed about 1770 by Thomas Minton for the Coalport Pottery Works in Staffordshire, a factory that has only lately closed down.

At that time the craze for Chinese things was at its height and this dainty blue and white Chinese pattern instantly became popular. It was copied, with certain variations, by other Staffordshire potters and, though at first sight all willow patterns look alike, the different makes can be distinguished by various small details, such as the number of apples, the figures on the bridge, and the design of the crooked fence.

All these old potters, however, used the same exquisite shades of cobalt blue, and though many other shades of lighter and darker blue and also brown have since been used, the original cobalt blue has always remained first favourite.

No other type of china is more attractive than a really good specimen of willow pattern, carefully and accurately finished. On the other hand, nothing could be uglier than the cheap imitations showing the bridge awry, the trees mere blobs and dabs, and with the edge of the border completely out of drawing.

It is one of the misfortunes of this really beautiful ware that it has been reproduced badly more often than any other design in our country.