Antique Blue Willow Ironstone Warming Plate Dish with Hot Water Chamber Underneath England Circa 1800?s. Rare Hard To Find Solid Ironstone. Measures 11? Wide, 2 1/8? Tall. Excellent condition for age, lite crazing, hairline crack around water spout only on front could have been from the firing process. Another glaze crack on side as seen in pictures. No other chips cracks or scratches. Same or next day USPS shipping. The image shows an antique Blue Willow warming plate, likely dating eback eto the 1800s. These plates were designed with a hollow space underneath that could be filled with hot water to keep food warm. Key features of the plate include: Design: It features the classic Blue Willow pattern, a transfer-printed design depicting a romanticized Chinese landscape with pagodas, trees, birds, and a bridge. This pattern became popular in England in the late 18th century and has been reproduced by many manufacturers since. Material and Maker: The plate is likely made of earthenware or ironstone, common materials for this type of ware. However, without a visible maker's mark, it's difficult to confirm the exact manufacturer. Construction: The warming plate has a spout or opening on the side where hot water could be poured into the hollow space beneath the plate. This design allowed the plate to retain heat and keep food warm for extended periods. In the Blue Willow legend, a the beautiful daughter of a powerful man fell in love with her father's secretary. Discovering their love, the father banished the secretary and constructed a great fence to keep his daughter contained. She could only walk by the water and the willows. She despaired until she received a message from her lover. At a banquet, he rescued her, but her father noticed and chased them across a bridge. The got away, but years later, her father caught up with them. The secretary was killed, and the daughter died as well. In pity, the gods turned them both into doves so they could fly together forever.