ocr: WILLOW PATTERN DISH The first potrery pieces to be transfer-printed in blue were made in Englandin the late 1700s. Cobalt blue was used because it was the only color then available that could withstand the heat of the ovens. Most of the early pottery designs were based on Chinese patterns, and featured pagodas, Asian trees, and birds. The blue-and-white willow pattern on this oval dish reflects a strong Chinese influence. SEE ALSO
