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13 decorative plates that put art on the menu
With designs to suit every taste, these functional of items are now an artistic phenomenon for your table or wall. Start your collection now…
Sometimes you come across a plate that’s simply too pretty to eat off - and then it only feels natural to display it on a shelf, mantlepiece or wall so it can be properly appreciated. A wall of blue and white china plates was once the preserve of country houses and cottages, but we've rounded up some bold, contemporary designs that turn tradition on its head.
Large Splatterware platter, Pentreath & Hall
Embrace your inner Jackson Pollock and display this sizeable plate by Fico by Betty. Each platter is hand-painted and the colour of this one – ‘Scorched Earth pink’ – is supposed to represent the suitably foodie inspirations of the Margherita di Savoia salt flats and Salentino Rosato wine. £78, pentreath-hall.com
‘Wall plate No.13’, Fornasetti
There’s no mistaking Fornasetti’s distinctive aesthetic; this porcelain wall plate is number 13 in the series of endless variations on the face of the designer’s muse, Lina Cavalieri. Hand crafted in Milan, it would make a wonderfully surreal finishing touch to a hallway or reading nook. £135, libertylondon.com
‘Pomodoro’ plate, Bitossi Home
French designer Sam Baron looked to the charming illustrations on vintage ‘citrus papers’ – small squares of silk paper used to pack oranges in the 20th century – for this nostalgic collection of porcelain plates. The fresh, bright colours and cheerful retro style will make them a joyful addition to a kitchen table or wall. £41, madeindesign.co.uk
‘New Tradition’ wall plate, The Conran Shop
This ceramic plate is one of a set of four designs from The Conran Shop that are designed to be hung on the wall (they’re not suitable for dining). Each is crafted in South Africa from local Cape clay and painted by hand, making every one slightly different. £75, conranshop.co.uk
‘Blues run the game’ plate, Eliza Hopewell
Ceramics artist Eliza Hopewell brings her uniquely modern perspective to the traditional art of painted plates, with her subversive designs. This first edition porcelain plate is one of a highly collectible series available from Felt. £130, felt-collections.com
‘Anneaux’ plate, Vasarely x Venus and the Cat
One of a limited run of 50, this hypnotic bone china plate features a handcrafted silk screen design by the grandfather of the Op Art movement Victor Vasarely. £180, selfridges.com
'Cluster of Palms' plate, Malaika
The inspiration for the decoration on this glazed earthenware plate comes from the place it's made - the Oasis of Favoum in Egypt. Here, artisans have their studios next to their homes and make the plates by hand, meaning each is unique. £252, theinvisiblecollection.com
‘Il Viaggio di Nettuno’ plate, Ginori 1735 x Luke Edward Hall
Luke Edward Hall’s collaboration with Ginori 1735 has a distinctly classical flavour, with this gold-edged porcelain charger depicting Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. One for a very fancy tablescape, or a perfectly polished statement on the wall. £137, net-a-porter.com
‘Pumpkin’ plate, Bordallo Pinheiro
This historic Portuguese firm is responsible for the global cabbageware trend – creating realistically vegetable-like plates and platters. Why not take a detour away from the brassicas and invest in this option instead. At least you’ll be read for harvest festival! £26, divertimenti.co.uk
‘Face’ plate, K.S. Creative Pottery
This friendly face is made from Staffordshire white stoneware and is hand thrown and painted by Kate Sellers in her studio in Kent. Each plate is unique and can be used for dining as well as displayed on the wall. £75, crouchers.com
‘Feast’ plate, Serax
World-renowned chef and cookbook king Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest collaboration with Serax is as colourful as his recipes. We especially love this ‘Delicious Pink Pepper Blue’ variety, with its expressive, calligraphy-like swoosh. £54, fenwick.co.uk
‘Dayo’ platter, Ferm Living
With its natural palette and abstract design, Ferm Living’s Dayo ceramic platter has a relaxed, understated charm. Crafted from rustic clay, each one is hand painted and signed by the artist. £95, heals.com
‘Siirtolapuutarha’ plate, Marimekko
The Finnish design house’s output feels as contemporary today as when it first began in the 1950s. We love the relaxed, hand-drawn feel of this monochrome design. Mix and match with other pieces from the collection - it’s sturdy enough for everyday dining, but will look equally chic displayed on a shelf. £26, skandium.com
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