Pair of Rare Identical Antique (1906) English Edwardian Swinnertons “Olde Alton Ware” Blue Willow 10”/25cm Tureens (1.1kg each).

Superb Heavy (1kg each) old tureens. One of the earliest pieces ever made by Swinnertons Pottery in their “Olde Alton Ware” range. Please browse all 12 sets of photographs for size, weight and condition as they are self explanatory.

Please note, these pieces are well over 100 years old. Condition is excellent. There are no chips, cracks or crazing although there are some manufacturing marks. Absolutely superb old willow pieces. Lovely weight and feel. Need to be seen and handled to be fully appreciated. Perfect for lovers and collectors of old blue & white willow.

The Legend of the Blue Willow:

Long ago, in the days when China was ruled by emperors, a Chinese manderin,Tso Ling, lived in the magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and in front of which is seen the graceful lines of the fence. Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father's clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island. The mandarin pursued and caught the lovers and was about to have them killed when the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves. These are the doves seen gazing into each other's eyes at the top of the design on the plates.

Blue Willow China, in its present form originated in the United Kingdom (England) in 1790 by Thomas Turner at Caughley Pottery Works in Shropshire.

A lengthy and old Staffordshire poem of the pattern concludes with the verse:

In the oft quoted plate two birds are perceived,

High in the heaven above,

These are the spirits of Chang and Kwang-se,

A twin pair of ever in love.

During the 1780s, many intricate designs were inspired by and adapted from motifs that were hand painted on ceramic pieces imported from China to England. Even though the Blue Willow pattern has a Chinese look and story, it was actually created in England in 1780 by engraver Thomas Minton. Minton sold the design to potter Thomas Turner who produced the pattern on earthenware. The Blue Willow pattern, created by Thomas Turner, became the most popular of these depictions.

Swinnertons history & timeline:

Beginnings with a factoring business started by Mr. B.J. Swinnerton at Burton place, Hanley.

Company founded in c1906 with factories in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

1906 - Swinnertons, Vulcan Works, Hanley, appointed Mr. H. Field their London agent, showing their samples at his rooms, 106, Hatton-garden, E.C.

Became a limited company in 1911.

1911 - B.J. Swinnerton joined with W. Lindley in taking over a business at the Old Chelsea Works.

On the death of Mr. B. J. Swinnerton, Mr. V.G.H. Alcock joined the firm, becoming its chairman.

During the first world war a Mr. W. Bloore joined the firm and in 1917 another factory, the Washington Pottery, was acquired. (this works was vacated by 1946)

After the 1st world war Messrs. Alcock, Lindley and Bloore purchased a teapot factory.

In 1925, the Victoria Pottery was purchased, followed soon after by the purchase of the Scotia Pottery at Burslem, in the meantime, the teapot business had developed and a further teapot factory was added to the group.

The directors, now joined by Mr. R.B. Bloore and Mr. W.S. Lindley, decided to build a new, single-storey factory, for the exclusive manufacture of Samian and Rockingham teapots.

In 1938 a start was made to rebuild the Vulcan Pottery, but it was interrupted by the second world war.

August 1952 the redevelopment of the Vulcan Pottery was completed.

In 1952 the old-established business of Davison & Son Ltd., was purchased.

Trading at this time was still continued under the Swinnertons name.

In 1959 the Swinnertons group was taken over by the Lawley Group.

Between 1959 and 1964, when the Lawley Group became part of Allied English Potteries (AEP), the Swinnerton name appears to have ceased.

In 1973 AEP merged with Royal Doulton and thus Swinnertons, among many other companies, became part of the Doulton group.