Willow Pattern Bench by Petronella Fursman

Artist's Statement

As a child I was intrigued by the story depicted on the willow pattern plate. The young couple was chased across the bridge by the wicked father brandishing a whip. The little boat was waiting to carry them off to safety but it was not meant to be. The father destroyed them both, but their spirits are seen united at the top of the design in the form of two tiny birds. Love triumphs over evil eventually.