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 : B&W Photo

Support image : Book

Information data : University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: Bk03-04. Source: 'Round the World from London Bridge to Charing Cross via Yokohama and Chicago' (George Newnes, 1895). 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 Bk02-03 (Same photograph, printed in colour), pe01-048 and no01-01.

Keywords : architecture;leisure;tea