Vintage Blue Willow Pottery Handled Jug or Carafe Made in Japan

Vintage Blue Willow Pottery Jug or Carafe. The Blue Willow pattern is one of the most recognizable tableware patterns ever produced, It was introduced in the late 18th century, it is still popular today. The pattern tells the story of two lovers,  once there was a wealthy Mandarin, who had a beautiful daughter, she had fallen in love with her father's humble accounting assistant, this angered her father so 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.  

This jug or carafe is a hard to find piece, it is an early piece, Made in Japan, it was made in the 1920's or 1930's.  It originally had a matching porcelain stopper, it is 6 1/4" tall, about 6 1/2" across the widest part and mouth of the jug is 2" across. It is in excellent condition, no chips and marked on the bottom with a black Made in Japan stamp. Please see our other listings for additional pieces, shipping is less for combined purchases then the above quoted individual cost per item combined and will be adjusted after your order is placed.