Hadden Stoneware Platter - Beige

This is a beige stoneware serving platter, an oval 36cm long, 25cm wide and 3cm tall, with a raised lemon motif at its centre. A branch runs across the face carrying two whole lemons, a cut slice and a pair of leaves, each modelled in relief so the shapes stand up from the surface. At 1.7KG it has the reassuring weight of solid stoneware. The rim rises only a little, so the platter sits low and flat on the table and the decoration stays in plain view whenever it is empty.

At 36cm long it is a sharing size rather than a single plate, with room for cheese and crackers, a spread of antipasti, grilled fish laid lengthways or slices of lemon cake for the middle of the table. It is made for serving, so it can carry a summer lunch out to the garden or sit on the kitchen island through a slow weekend breakfast. When it is not in use, the lemon motif earns it a place on an open shelf or propped on a dresser. It suits anyone who likes tableware with a bit of character, and it makes a thoughtful present for a keen cook.

The platter is made of stoneware and finished in a reactive glaze with an overlaying glass component; the lemons carry a glossy, slightly pooled sheen. Reactive glazes move as they fire, so no two platters settle quite alike. It goes in the dishwasher, but keep it out of the oven and the microwave: the maker advises against both because of the glass in the glaze. The styling props shown are not included. On the table, lay it lengthways down the middle and arrange food around the lemons rather than over them, so the motif still shows.

What is the platter made of?

It is made of 100% stoneware and finished in a reactive glaze with an overlaying glass component, with a raised lemon motif at its centre.

Can it go in the dishwasher?

Yes, it goes in the dishwasher. It should stay out of the oven and the microwave, which the maker does not recommend because of the glass component in the glaze.

Can I warm food on it in the oven or microwave?

No. The maker advises against oven and microwave use because the glaze contains a glass component, so warm food in another dish and move it onto the platter to serve.

How big is the platter?

It is an oval 36cm long, 25cm wide and 3cm tall, and it weighs 1.7KG, a generous size for sharing dishes in the middle of the table.

What can I serve on it?

Cheese and crackers, antipasti, grilled fish, sliced fruit or cake all suit it. It is made for serving food, and its 36cm length gives plenty of room for sharing.

Is the lemon decoration raised or flat?

The lemons, the cut slice, the leaves and the branch are all raised in relief from the surface, so the decoration has a texture you can feel as well as see.