This antique Chinese Blue Willow Plate with a diameter of 23cm and weighs 490g The rear is adorned with a Zhongyang Waring States Period Seal Mark, The plate is made of porcelain and boasts a stunning blue Cobalt hue that optimises the willow design traditions

The plates are in very good condition, with no visible damage or chips on 3 and one small chip on 1.

The Willow Story

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.