Pretty in porcelain
In many households, there are “the good plates,” then there are the plates you eat off every day. But what if the “good plates” were the plates you ate off every day instead of the fancier china sitting in storage? From handcrafted, top-of-the-line French plates crafted with clay from the River Seine to homegrown local designs spotlighting native flora, these collections sprinkle a little exceptional beauty into the everyday.
Fine terracotta from Astier de Villatte
Astier de Villatte is one of those ceramic houses with cult status. Founded in Paris in 1996 by Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli, its workshop is based in the former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s silversmith
Each piece is strictly handmade, beginning with black terracotta clay sourced from the banks of the Seine. Afterward, the plates go through a painstaking mold-pressing process. It’s finished with the brand’s signature milky white glaze. No two are exactly alike, with slightly uneven rims, pooled glazes, and irregular silhouettes.
To the untrained eye, they may look like plain-old, imperfect country table dishes. But for those conscious of where materials come from, as well as with an appreciation of old-world craftsmanship, Astier de Villatte is the coveted crockery brand among ceramic collectors.
Available in Astier de Villatte boutiques in Paris, Milan, Seoul, and Tokyo, or select retailers worldwide
Christofle’s freer spirit with Malmaison Riviera
Parisian goldsmith Christofle is synonymous with old-world luxury. Having crafted silverware and fine table settings since the 1800s, Christofle takes a sunnier, more modern turn with its Malmaison Riviera collection.
Inspired by the Château de Malmaison, the former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine, the collection reimagines the house’s classic motif with distinctive Mediterranean warmth. Natural yellows reminiscent of lemons and limoncello radiate across fine porcelain, complemented by elegant palmettes, rosettes, and platinum detailing.
Reminiscent of these Riviera summers, the collection extends beyond dish sets with silver-plated napkin rings, knife rests, coasters, and place card holders, ideal for those seeking stylish tablescapes for beach houses or the summer season.
Available locally at Rustan’s and through Christofle boutiques worldwide
La DoubleJ’s bright and beautiful Rainbow
If your dining table could use a little more personality, La DoubleJ plates could be it. The Italian fashion and homeware label shows you can have a little color without jumping deep into maximalism.
The Rainbow collection features vibrant pick-and-mix dinner plates, each finished with playful contrasting rims. Layering the spectrum can “zhuzh up” your basic white china for a more cheerful, less coordinated table.
Available through Farfetch and La DoubleJ retailers
The native blooms of Casa Juan
Closer to home, Casa Juan captures the Philippines’ biodiversity with its Bulaklak collection. Made from bone china, the four-piece salad plate set showcases illustrations of endemic flowers, including the Sanggumay orchid, Renanthera monachica or Spanish Dancing Girl orchid, Queen Victoria’s Dendrobium, and the dramatic jade vine, known for its cascading turquoise blooms.
Available at Artefino or the Casa Juan online store
The classics: Villeroy & Boch
Some designs never go out of style. And Villeroy & Boch’s Old Luxembourg collection is one of the German brand’s most recognized design patterns around the world.
Bringing to mind the grand duchy of Western Europe, the wares are dotted with delicate blue floral branches, known as the brindille motif. While the crisp white porcelain simulates that elegant blue-and-white aesthetic. The quintessential collection is one investment of plates that won’t date.
Available locally at Villeroy & Boch boutiques
The contemporary air of Laro Ceramics
While on the trendier side, local brand Laro Ceramics exemplifies handcrafted quality. Its Wellness Dinnerware set comes in a range of soft colors—from Cornflower Blue and Buttercream to Espresso Brown, Tomato Red, and Petal Pink.
Slip-cast from the original wheel-thrown works of founder Erika Austria, the soft, rounded rims have an aura of intentionality to them, while remaining pleasing to the eyes and easy to mix and match.
Available on the Laro Ceramics website
