This contemporary oyster plate is an example of the highly elaborate tableware that appeared in Europe during the 18^th century.

Until the 16^th century, the tables of the elite were rarely set with plates but were decorated with edible sculptures or stuffed birds. In the 18^th century, with the development of porcelain and the refinement of table manners, different kinds of tableware came into use. Often they were designed specifically for the foods they served: plates shaped like fish, centrepieces ornamented with clusters of grapes, bowls resembling slices of melon.

With its six shell-shaped wells, this oyster plate is a delight for the eyes and palate. In the  19^th century, these plates also became popular in bourgeois homes. Their decorative appearance highlights the oyster’s status as an exquisite delicacy.