French Oysters on New Year's Eve!

On the western coast of France there are long stretches of the coastline that have been devoted to the farming of oysters since the late 1700s. They are a delicious staple of New Year’s Eve festivities along with champagne, of course!

As with many things French, the eating of oysters prompted the creation of an industry of table ware and kitchen tools uniquely designed for the preparation and serving of oysters. One of the most beautiful examples is the “oyster plate.”

The best-known ceramic plate designs, sometimes called majolica, have been created in communities such as Quimper on the northwestern coast, Sarreguemines on the northeastern border, Limoges in the central part of the country, and Vallauris along the Mediterranean Sea. These 'houses' have created treasured lines of these dishes, well prized by French families and collectors alike. The plates in the pictures on this page come from design houses of Sarreguemines, Niderviller, and Longchamp in the northern reaches of France, and Vallauris in Provence.

Over the centuries, designers have created a wide range of mofits from the most traditional and elegant to an artistic array of modern variations in shape, color, texture, and size. The Sarreguemines plate above has a delicate edging of oak leaves; the Niderviller plate to the left gives an example of a more modern artistic design called Mousse (sea-foam); and the Longchamp design below is a more traditional design common in many households.

Most plates are designed with 6 good-sized wells for a nice individual serving of oysters or a table serving platter for a dozen oysters. Nearly all plates have a shallow well in the center for lemon slices or dipping sauces. People living in different regions of France are likely to use local recipes for dipping sauces; some with a mayonnaise base, others with a vinegar base, and still others with simple lemon juice.

Whatever their origin and design, oyster plates have found their way into the hearts and collections of ceramic lovers everywhere.