YORK. LAYERTHORPE POTTERY 
was established in 1846 by Mr. John Webster, the ware made 
consisting of flower pots, chimney pots, bowls, socket pipes, etc. 
It was closed down between forty and fifty years ago. 
Many other small potteries existed throughout the County, such 
as those at Osmotherley, Wakefield Moor, Potovens, near Wake¬ 
field, Rosedale, etc. 
So many people are unacquainted with the legend of the 
popular “ Willow” pattern, which is and has been so largely used 
to decorate various pieces of pottery, both the typical pattern, here 
reproduced, and its variations, that I make no apology for intro¬ 
ducing it here. I am very much indebted to Mr. H. M. Loadman, 
Stonegate, York, for the loan of the blocks of the frontispiece— 
which is Mr. Roadman’s own idea of the York “ Willow ” pattern 
—and for the typical “ Willow ” here reproduced. 
STORY OF THE “WILLOW” PATTERN. 
In the house seen on the right hand side of the plate lived a 
Mandarin who wished his daughter Li-Chi to marry an old but 
wealthy suitor. Knowing that she was loved by Chang, his 
secretary, he imprisoned her in a room overlooking the water, so 
the lady sent a message in a cocoa nut shell floating down the 
stream, arranging to meet Chang when the Willow leaf began to 
fall. This he received, and by the help of a gardener who lived 
in the small house under the fir tree, the lovers met and are seen 
fleeing away over the bridge, the lady in front, Chang following 
with her jewel case, and the Mandarin pursuing them with a whip. 
But they escaped in the boat to an island where they lived happily 
until discovered by the wealthy suitor, who, in revenge, set fire to 
the house. Their prayers for help being heard, they were changed 
into the two birds seen flying away safe, under the protection of 
the gods. 
