Red (Pink?) Willow Ware Double-Lipped Gravy/SauceBoat, Unmarked,Really Nice Cond for Sale

On eBay Now...

Red (Pink?) Willow Ware Double-Lipped Gravy/SauceBoat, Unmarked,Really Nice Cond For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Red (Pink?) Willow Ware Double-Lipped Gravy/SauceBoat, Unmarked,Really Nice Cond:
$13.00

Here is a sweet little double-spouted gravy boat/sauce boat in the beautiful red Willow Wear pattern. I think it leans a little more red than pink, and while I have a set of Royal China in the Willow Weave pattern marked and listed, this little sauce boat (see other listings) isn\'t marked but has the same lovely pattern. This pattern was originally developed in 18th century England, adapting the blue and white techniques from the Qing Dynasty in China.

TLDR: this a sauce boat! - read on if you want to know more about the pattern, if not, skip and purchase!

Does everyone know the story behind this age old pattern? I didn\'t, and was delighted to learn it (thanks Wikipedia!):

\"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, as it was inappropriate for them to marry due to their difference insocial class. 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. However, 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.\"

To understand the story better - check out the photo of the blue plate, labelled where all the symbology is to be found. Too cool! Note: the blue plate in the photo IS NOT what you are purchasing; it is for illustration/educational purposes only!

The sauce boat is in excellent condition with no scratches or large chips or losses. Height ~3.0\", ~6.0\" W at spout ends, weighs 8.7 ounces prior to shipping.