Huxinting, 'The Willow Pattern Tea House', Shanghai

Title : Huxinting, 'The Willow Pattern Tea House', Shanghai

Topic : Other collections

Location : Shanghai

Estimated dates : 1890-1900

Nature : Colorized Photo

Support image : Book

Caption on support : Public Tea Gardens, Shanghai

Information data : University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: Bk02-03. Source: page 115 in ‘Collins’ Wide World Geography Reader. Book IV. Asia.’ (William Collins, c.1905). This tea house, the Huxingting (heart-of-lake) is approached by a zigzag bridge (The Nine Curve Bridge). It is believed by some to be one of the inspirations for part of the imaginary scene depicted on English willow-pattern crockery. This popular crockery design was developed by Thomas Turner in Shropshire, England in 1780. "South China is evidently the home of the story of the willow pattern which used to be so commonly painted on English china, for here the children's clothes, pinafores and ribbons are all embroidered with silk in this pattern." (Source: Kate Pruen 'The Provinces of Western China', 1906.) Woo Sing Ding Tea House. See also Bk03-04 (Same view, printed in black & white), pe01-048 and no01-01.

Keywords : architecture;leisure;tea