Oyster plate 1881

This oyster plate was made by Union Porcelain Works between 1863 and 1922. The plate is a visual delight, structured around a central void and shaped like an oyster shell itself. Notice how the plate’s composition, with its five symmetrically arranged oyster beds, draws our eye around in a complete circle. The plate utilizes rich blues and whites to mimic the appearance of the sea, while green and gold accenting highlights the natural forms of seaweed, miniature shells and pearls. The structure of the plate, from its overall shell-like shape to the individual oyster compartments, invites a semiotic reading. Each element serves as a signifier, referencing opulence and the ocean’s bounty. The plate is a tableau that transcends mere functionality, and becomes a commentary on luxury. Notice how the Union Porcelain Works has destabilized the utilitarian by transforming a plate into a canvas for artistic expression.