Amongst the world of decorative arts, few designs are as instantly recognisable as Willow Pattern. From delicate porcelain plates to serving dishes, its iconic motifs tell a story that is far more than decoration. Look closely, and you will see bridges, pagodas, and two birds soaring together – symbols of an enduring love story that has captured imaginations for centuries.
The legend begins with a wealthy Mandarin and his daughter, Koong-se. Beautiful and refined, she lived within her father’s grand estate, where he employed a secretary named Chang. Quietly, love blossomed between Koong-se and Chang, but when the Mandarin discovered their affection, he was enraged. He dismissed Chang and built walls around the gardens, determined to keep the lovers apart.
One day, Koong-se discovered a tiny sailboat drifting at the water’s edge. Inside was a poem from Chang and a bead she had once given him, a sign that he had not abandoned hope.
But fate had other plans. Koong-se soon learned she had been promised to Ta-jin, a noble warrior Duke, who arrived with a casket of jewels to mark their betrothal. At the banquet that followed, Chang, disguised in a servant’s robe, crept unseen into Koong-se’s chamber. There, they embraced and vowed to flee together.
That night, as wine dulled the senses of guests and guards alike, the couple escaped across the bridge. The Mandarin gave chase, but the lovers found refuge with Koong-se’s former maid. The jewels intended for the Duke were given to Chang, though the Mandarin swore they would one day be used to condemn him.
Their lives became a series of narrow escapes — raids, disguises, and finally, flight by boat. At last, they settled on a distant island, where Chang’s writings earned him fame. But peace was short-lived. Word reached the Mandarin, who dispatched soldiers to destroy him. Chang was slain, and in her grief, Koong-se set fire to their home, perishing in the flames rather than live without him.
The gods, moved by their devotion, took pity and transformed the pair into two doves, destined to fly together eternally.
And so, this poignant tale of forbidden love became immortalised in porcelain. The Willow Pattern design, created in England in the late 18th century and inspired by Chinese artistry, carries their story across generations. We use fragments of this beloved pattern and set them into sterling silver to create jewellery – allowing us to wear a piece of history and a love story that endures beyond time.