This publication emerges from a landmark year in Stoke-on-Trent's cultural history, marking the centenary of the City's status through a programme of events that celebrated and critically examined its rich ceramic heritage. At its centre was the exhibition Willow Pattern Ceramics and Stories of 'Other', which explored the complex histories, exchanges and reinterpretations that have shaped one of the region's most iconic ceramic designs.
Bringing together perspectives from China and the United Kingdom, this publication examines the Willow Pattern as a lens through which to understand centuries of cultural transmission, artistic innovation, industrial production and global trade. The essays collected here offer new insights into the interconnected histories of Stoke-on-Trent and Jingdezhen – two of the world's most significant ceramic centres.
Together, these contributions reflect a shared commitment to advancing dialogue, research and cultural exchange, while demonstrating how ceramics continue to provide a powerful framework for understanding the enduring legacies of cross-cultural encounter and creative reinvention.