Blue Onion facts for kids
Blue Onion (or Zwiebelmuster in German) is a famous design found on porcelain dishes. It was first made by Meissen porcelain in Germany during the 1700s. Later, many other companies started making their own versions of this popular pattern.
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History of the Blue Onion Pattern
The "Blue Onion" design was first called the "bulb" pattern. It was inspired by beautiful patterns from Chinese porcelain. These Chinese designs often showed fruits like pomegranates.
How Meissen Created Its Own Style
When the Meissen factory started making these dishes in 1740, they added their own special touch. The artists at Meissen created designs that looked more like plants found in Europe. So, the "onions" in the pattern are not real onions at all! Historians believe they are actually changed versions of peaches and pomegranates from the original Chinese art.
What the Pattern Shows
The design is a mix of different flowers. You can see peonies and asters in the middle of the pattern. There are also winding stems around a bamboo stalk.
Other Companies Copying the Design
Before the 1700s ended, other porcelain factories began to copy the Meissen Zwiebelmuster. By the 1800s, almost every European factory offered their own version. They often used a method called transfer printing to put the outlines on the dishes. Then, artists would color them in by hand. For example, Enoch Wedgwood made a pattern in the 1870s called "Meissen." Today, a Japanese version known as "Blue Danube" is also very popular.
What Makes Blue Onion Special
The Blue Onion design was inspired by art from East Asia, especially China. But it also shows a lot of European style. It connects with the flowing and fancy look of rococo art. For example, parts of the design are not perfectly even, but they still look balanced and beautiful.
Colors of the Blue Onion Pattern
The classic Blue Onion pattern is made on white dishes. The design itself is usually a deep cobalt blue color. This blue color is put on the porcelain before it is glazed and fired. This makes the color last a very long time.
Rare Color Variations
Sometimes, you might find rare Blue Onion dishes in different colors. Instead of blue, the pattern might be green, red, pink, or even black. There is also a very rare type called red bud. These dishes are mostly blue and white, but they have small red accents that make them unique.
