Patricia Mitchell and son David Mitchell show examples of the family's Blue Willow, used both for everyday and special occasions.
Patricia Mitchell and son David Mitchell show examples of the family's Blue Willow, used both for everyday and special occasions.
Blue Willow (see history and lore and overall Blue Willow index), first made in England over 200 years ago, is said to be “America's favorite patterned ware.”
If it is so popular, who manufactures it? At times the pattern seems difficult to find from local retail sources. The internet, however, is making numerous examples of Blue Willow from the past and present more accessible. The list of currently active manufacturers we have compiled below includes seven firms, the first five of which are from Staffordshire, UK:
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Scio (Ohio) Pottery produced inexpensive unmarked Willow ware until just a few years ago. Identical Taiwanese Willow was seen then, too, but both have disappeared. The Blue Willow products of numerous other familiar manufacturers are no longer found except in replacement, collectible, and antique shops.
If you are aware of other active manufacturers, please drop me a line by e-mail or by letter. Thank you!
Patricia Mitchell
P. O. Box 429
Chatham VA 24531-0429
answers@foodhistory.com
Note: Thanks to Rosalyn Johnson for alerting us to the current status of several of the active manufacturers listed above (5/04); and to Paula Jarvis for sending us a note regarding Royal Cuthbertson (7/04).
Copyright © 1999–2008 Patricia B. Mitchell.