Crab and lobster plates
The story of a Majolica lobster and crab plate by Alvaro José of Caldas da Rainha ( 1880 ).
We became obsessed with finding these decorative majolica plates after we saw them hanging on a wall in a restaurant in Lisbon in october 2014. We then missed the opportunity of buying them at the flea market that saturday even though we found a beautiful pair.
Regretting this as soon as we left Lisbon we had a local friend called Juan look for them week after week but they never resurfaced.
My boyfriend Paul is very persevering and found 4 different ones from all around Europe, on the internet. I have been researching the artist Alvaro José from Caldas in Portugal but apart from a date : 1880, I have found nothing else.
Caldas is famous for the earthenware factory of Bordallo Pinheiro which make beautiful artistic ceramics for the home. My childhood memories are filled with images of meals served in their cabbage leaf plates, tomato soup bowls, rooster water jugs and lettuce leaf platters in Andalusia in the 60’s. So now, in California, meet our 2 crabs and 2 lobsters from Portugal.
The details on these are fascinating. You can see every barnacle, mussel shell, algae and grain of sand. They are big and very heavy, they feel lovely to the touch. I can now sit and admire them for hours and hours.
I do not like clutter, I do not collect things, I only like to surround myself with a few things ( and people) that bring me joy. These plates make me smile and celebrate great craftsmanship and a vivid imagination. I only wish I knew more about Alvaro José from Caldas Da Rainha, he must have been a very special man, a true artist.
photo credit : fashionsphinx.com
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Dear Judy Graham,
It you do wish to sell your lobster plate feel free To contact me.
Marina Rego.
.marm
Dear Judy Graham,
It you do wish to sell your lobster plate feel free To contact me
I have one of those lobster plates.
It is 12 inches across.
It really is special. I might sell.
Good to read about your interest in this pottery.
Dear Judy ! thank you for writing. I have already 4 plates so I don’t think I need more but I am sure you will find a loving new home for it. They are so stunning, even more so in real life
regards
fashionsphinx
Perdón,mi doble comentario.Me quedo son cobertura en este ordenador.
Casualidad esta semana al hablar de Bernard Palissy,ceramista francés del XVI, al cual en el XIX en Francia,Italia y Portugal basandose en sus piezas hicieron un reviival de ellas.Bordello Pinheiro entre ellos,magnificas,hoy día todavía las siguen haciendo.Este agosto en Caldas da Rsin ha vi alguna de ellas.
Genial esta semana al hablar de Bernard PAlLiISY,ceramista frances del XVI,en un grupo tengo de mesas..,hable de la influencia desde el XIX.., tuvo en la cerámica francesa,italiana y sobre todo portugués.Bordallo PinheiroPinharo.Todavía hoy día se siguen haciendo,visita ultimo agosto.
beautiful!!!! Will watch out for more, bss