From the plain and practical to the elaborate and ornate, plates are central to the mealtimes we enjoy every day and on special occasions, especially Christmas. And after last year I’m sure we’re all looking forward to sitting down with our loved ones and having a festive meal - I know I am!
This advent season we’ve been sharing our 12 Plates of Christmas, inspired by Feasting display at Aberdeen Art Gallery and featuring one of the incredible tableware from our collection. You can find out more about all the plates we’ll be sharing in the run up to Christmas using our Collections search facility on our website.
If you missed our ‘starters’, you can see the first six plates here: 12 Plates of Christmas - Part 1
Day 7: Mazarine Blue Plate with Birds
Let’s begin part 2 of our series with a familiar piece - you may recognise this plate from the wall of Gallery 6: Feasting, (in vinyl form). This plate dates back to the 1760s. This highly detailed porcelain plate was manufactured by Chelsea who were often inspired by Sèvres porcelain, who coincidentally was the manufacturer of our plate from Day 1.
It is said that the blue colour of this particular plate was copied from Sèvres, but that is not where the similarities end. This plate – just like ‘Sevres Plate’ has reserves that each have an image of a bird as well as a floral gold design framing these.
Day 8: Homemaker Side Plate
This contemporary looking earthenware plate is actually from the 1960s. The Homemaker pattern was initially designed to appeal to young people who were moving out and setting up home for the first time.
The Homemaker pattern was designed by Enid Seeney (1931-2011), manufactured by Ridgway Potteries and sold through Woolworth’s between 1955 and 1967. Due to the demise of Woolworth’s, this collection has now become highly collectable.
Day 9: Irregular Shaped Plate
The design of t hand-painted irregular dish was based on an English book called ‘The Gardener’s Dictionary’, published in 1752. The shape of the plate reflects the organic forms found in nature. One thing I really enjoy about this piece are the small paintings of various insects which are so detailed - they that look as though they could crawl around the plate.
The focal image of the plate is a large flower that is slightly off-centre. This image reminds me of the drawings of Elizabeth Blackwell (1707- 1758), the Aberdonian botanical illustrator, who recently featured in P&J’s 2-minute masterpiece. You can find out more about the tumultuous life of Elizabeth Blackwell at Provost Skene’s House.
Day 10: Medium ‘Chapel of Ease’ Plate)
This pewter plate is associated with Denburn Church. Pewter is a historical alloy made up of tin which has been mixed with tiny amounts of various metals to make it more durable. This material became popular in the Middle Ages and was often used for kitchenware and by churches due to its affordability, durability, and versatility.
The phrase “chapel of ease” is engraved upon the rim of the plate, giving us an insight into the interesting history of Denburn Church and Aberdeen. Denburn Church was originally built as a Chapel of Ease within the parish of Old Machar to accommodate the increasing population which at the time were too far away from Old Machar to attend the parish church.
You can learn more about the history of Denburn Church and Aberdeen at Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record - Aberdeen City - NJ90NW0874 - GILCOMSTON CHURCH
Day 11: Vienna Porcelain Painted Dish
Today's plate dates back to 1750-1799 and was manufactured by Royal Vienna Porcelain Factory in Vienna Austria (1718-1864). the central image to this porcelain plate is painted with coloured enamels and depicts a soldier resting under a tree next to a female figure dressed in yellow robes. I wonder what the story behind the image on this plate is?
Day 12: Souvenir of Aberdeen Plate
We thought we would finish this series with a plate that is near and dear to us. Souvenir of Aberdeen plate, dated between 1900-1949. This plate is historically significant serving as a time capsule of what Union Terrace Gardens once looked like. With the current renovations of Union Terrace Gardens, this piece will be interesting to look back on and reflect on how our city is constantly evolving.
Follow us on social media @AbdnArtMuseums and let us know if you used or still use any of the plates mentioned in our series. Share your favourite plates with us using the hashtag #12PlatesofChristmas.
Merry Christmas – eat well and stay safe!
