willow pattern plates
objective: students will create a contemporary version of a willow pattern plate, inspired by the unique historical story of the ancient plates.
history:
Willow Pattern plates became popular at the end of the 18th century in England when it was developed by English ceramic artists combining and adapting motifs inspired by fashionable hand-painted blue-and-white wares imported from China.
IMAGERY:
These plates included scenes with willows, boats, pavilions and birds which were later incorporated into the Willow pattern.
The Willow pattern is commonly presented in a circular or ovate frame. The waterside landscape represents a garden in the lower right side, in which a large two-story pavilion stands.
It is surrounded by bushes and trees with varied fruit and foliage, including a large tree rising behind with clusters of oranges.
A path through the garden leads to the front of the scene and is crossed by a fence of diapered panels set zig-zag fashion across the foreground.
ROMANTIC FABLE:
In order to promote sales of Minton's Willow pattern, various stories were invented based on the elements of the design.
The Romantic Fable: Once there was a wealthy Mandarin, who had a beautiful daughter (Koong-se). She had fallen in love with her father's humble accounting assistant (Chang), angering her father. (It was inappropriate for them to marry due to their difference in social class.) He dismissed the young man and built a high fence around his house to keep the lovers apart. The Mandarin was planning for his daughter to marry a powerful Duke. The Duke arrived by boat to claim his bride, bearing a box of jewels as a gift. The wedding was to take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree.
On the eve of the daughter's wedding to the Duke, the young accountant, disguised as a servant, slipped into the palace unnoticed. As the lovers escaped with the jewels, the alarm was raised. They ran over a bridge, chased by the Mandarin, whip in hand. They eventually escaped on the Duke's ship to the safety of a secluded island, where they lived happily for years. But one day, the Duke learned of their refuge. Hungry for revenge, he sent soldiers, who captured the lovers and put them to death. The gods, moved by their plight, transformed the lovers into a pair of doves.
IMAGERY:
These plates included scenes with willows, boats, pavilions and birds which were later incorporated into the Willow pattern.
The Willow pattern is commonly presented in a circular or ovate frame. The waterside landscape represents a garden in the lower right side, in which a large two-story pavilion stands.
It is surrounded by bushes and trees with varied fruit and foliage, including a large tree rising behind with clusters of oranges.
A path through the garden leads to the front of the scene and is crossed by a fence of diapered panels set zig-zag fashion across the foreground.
ROMANTIC FABLE:
In order to promote sales of Minton's Willow pattern, various stories were invented based on the elements of the design.
The Romantic Fable: Once there was a wealthy Mandarin, who had a beautiful daughter (Koong-se). She had fallen in love with her father's humble accounting assistant (Chang), angering her father. (It was inappropriate for them to marry due to their difference in social class.) He dismissed the young man and built a high fence around his house to keep the lovers apart. The Mandarin was planning for his daughter to marry a powerful Duke. The Duke arrived by boat to claim his bride, bearing a box of jewels as a gift. The wedding was to take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree.
On the eve of the daughter's wedding to the Duke, the young accountant, disguised as a servant, slipped into the palace unnoticed. As the lovers escaped with the jewels, the alarm was raised. They ran over a bridge, chased by the Mandarin, whip in hand. They eventually escaped on the Duke's ship to the safety of a secluded island, where they lived happily for years. But one day, the Duke learned of their refuge. Hungry for revenge, he sent soldiers, who captured the lovers and put them to death. The gods, moved by their plight, transformed the lovers into a pair of doves.
your project:
Create a plate out of clay. (Demonstration)
Etch into it or fire it plain and then paint a blue style design onto the plate.
See handout for specifics on what your plate must include design wise.
Etch into it or fire it plain and then paint a blue style design onto the plate.
See handout for specifics on what your plate must include design wise.