Blue and white ceramics have a rich and complex history, full of romance, drama, theft and even murder!   Let us take a deeper look at this famous duo.  

China's ceramic history includes blue and white pottery, but not the famous "Willow Blue" plates that you most likely know. 

Notes and Vocab: 

*Tell the "story of Blue Willow."  Typically the plates feature a bridge with figures crossing, a small "tea house," a large "mansion," a fence, a boat, two birds, trees, and decorative patterns.   These images are used to tell the story; the story varies and changes but has a similar plot that involves the icons.

*flow blue pottery, transferware, printmaking and pottery

*global trade, wealthy vs. middle and lower classes   

4 Basic Styles of Flow Blue Pottery? Look at more examples of "Flow Blue" or "Flo Blue" on Pinterest. 

Some Specific Examples of patterns can be seen here. 

In this article, Blue Transferware: Flo Blue, Blue Willow, Staffordshire, you will read a description of the creation process and see examples of makers marks. 

Additional Sources for research: Flow Blue China, Collectors Weekly, Blue and White Database, Cultural References to Blue Willow, Symbolism

References to these historical works can be seen in  Artist Julie Green's series "The Last Supper."  This series features images of death row inmates' last meal requests in cobalt blue mineral paint on second-hand ceramic plates.  Read this article "Last Supper" in Ceramics Monthly Sept. 2011

Another contemporary artist referencing the historical blue and white transfer ware is Ah Xian, with his Porcelain Busts Imprinted with Chinese Decorative Designs.  

Here is a link to the instructor lecture notes on cultural appropriation vocabulary and rudimentary concepts.