12 Classic Vintage China Patterns

Willow-Blue by Johnson Brothers

Widely called Blue Willow by most vintage china dealers, this pattern was dubbed Willow by Johnson Brothers. It is based on the Old Willow pattern, which has been in production for centuries. Johnson Brothers started making their high-quality versions of this pattern in the 1930s, and the ​back stamps have changed through the decades.

The pattern tells the story of a wealthy Chinese girl who falls in love with a commoner. They flee together to elope and are pursued by her Mandarin father. At the end of the story, the young couple transforms into a pair of doves as shown in the pattern detailing. This tale has many different iterations, as noted by International Willow Collectors, and is often passed down from generation to generation as these dishes are used for serving.

Many companies made Blue Willow dinnerware, but the Johnson Brothers editions are regarded as among the best versions available.