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. 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.

The Chinese fable of an eloping couple transforming into doves became one the most identifiable design elements of 18th and 19th century crockery, known as the Willow Pattern. The Willow Pattern was designed in 1780 by Minton and intended to add a touch of Oriental magic to earthernware. Unfortunately for true romantics, the story of the lovers is English in origin, and has no links to China. Many manufacturers at the time produced their own version of the Willow Pattern.                                    Sampson Bridgwood & Son first manufactured earthenware in 1795, in the heart of the world famous Longton Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent. In 1818 the company produced their first ‘Blue Willow’ patterned china, which is still in production today. Bridgewood and Sons continued to grow and expand, and the group was renamed Churchill in 1984.

This pendant has been crafted from a beautiful, and more unusual, red Willow pattern plate.

As with all Goosehouse Designs jewellery, this unique pendant has been individually handcrafted by me in my studio.

The silver in this pendant is sterling silver, and is stamped with the .925 stamp.

This oval pendant measures 26mm x 20mm x 5mm.

The pendant comes with your choice of necklace -

wire collar 46cm/18"

link chain 66cms/26"

snake chain 70cms/27"