Living by the ocean, it’s impossible to escape crustacean and fish-themed decor, and I have my share of it in tableware.
These Rosalie Nadeau Fish plates were one of our earlier acquisitions from Tree’s Place Gallery in Chatham, MA. Though the gift shop closed in 2015, the plates are still available; they’re an excellent size and shape for the often liquidy presentation seafood dishes entail.
The plates are all handmade; the detail of the scales on the fish is remarkable, and the glazes run from gold to a briny blue.
I elected to keep the colour of the accoutrements neutral and let the texture of the plates do the talking.
The glasses are antique smoke-coloured Bohemian etched goblets from Laurel Leaf Farms and Trestle water glasses by Fitz & Floyd in Indigo.
I pulled out my antique fish knives and forks with mother-of-pearl handles for a little bit of upmarket interest. We can’t have a more appropriate setting for them to shine. The Victorians really knew what they were doing with speciality implements. However, the emerging middle class took some flack for it among the landed gentry, whose silverware had been passed down through many generations and did not include such new-fangled items as fish knives and forks. Only the nouveau riche had such vulgar instruments, the wealthy, well-established sniffed.
The large fish slice is perfectly suited for lifting the flesh of the fish away from the skin and allowing the excess juices to drain away before transferring individual portions to plates.
All set for an outdoor meal. Simple, but casually elegant.
The centrepiece is a selection of spheres made of grapevine and other natural materials from Home Goods.
I almost forgot—you can see the salt and pepper shakers from Pier 1 peeking around the first plate. They’re encased in a woven rope pattern and fit right in.
In addition to the entrée-sized fish plates, I have one or two serving pieces. Here is the small bowl, perfect for tartar sauce or sections of lemon. There is also a huge platter (not shown) which I use for whole fish, steamed crab legs or lobsters.
It’s a cold, wet weekend here on the Cape, much to the disgust of the residents whose houses are overflowing with disappointed family and friends.
We took a long walk with the dogs this morning in between downpours and speculated on how many board games had been played in the last three days, particularly in the houses with six or eight cars in the driveway. I’m gathering from neighbours that tempers are starting to run a little short all around, and we are betting we will see an exodus of cars this afternoon! Memorial Day weekend had similar weather—just one of those years…
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Dear Helen,
I tried commenting on the plaid cake, but it went *poof*. I smiled because your last-peony bouquet was almost exactly what I had arranged the day before. I cut the last one along with the first flush of Forever Summer yesterday(!)
I really like the fishy plates, especially the deep blue ones, and I wish I’d bought the F&F goblets before leaving. It’s probably for the best that I can’t source stuff from the US, as I still have insufficient storage (we’re getting there…). MOP is a gorgeous substance, isn’t it? I did my new kitchen backsplash in it, all the way up to the beams. The weather has been weird everywhere this summer; cold, rainy, and gray. Hope you had a good 4th anyway.
Hi Beatrice,
Speaking of weird, your comment on the plaid cake is showing as approved on my dashboard, and that I replied. A ghost in the machinery, it seems!
Your mother-of-pearl backsplash sounds lovely! I remember you mentioning your plans for it and I’m glad it went ahead. I bet it’s stunning.
I’ve reached the conclusion that there is not enough storage space for tableware, ever. No matter what.
The sun has finally appeared today. The rain stopped yesterday evening in time for the fireworks to begin. They were beautiful, though the dogs were less than impressed.
Best,
Helen
How unique! Love the fish plates. I adore those Victorian style absolutely unnecessary completely specialized silver servers like your fish knife. Actually very functional in comparison to some others such as grape shears or lemon forks. Chef Julia Child is on video demonstrating how to cook fish in butter and masterfully split bottom flesh from bones with fish knife then replace the top fish flesh.
Whaa laa
I love the shape of the fish knives. I use the fish set the least possible excuse…if you use the, you don’t have to clean them with silver polish!
I have a sister in law who collects silver sets and I almost spent big bucks for a strawberry fork gift. Found out she’s allergic to strawberries. Very glad I don’t have fish allergies and can enjoy it and your fish plates!!
Oh my! That would have been an expensive miss, wouldn’t it?
Glad to have found your blog; your tablescapes are charming and inviting, and at the same time, works of fine art!
Thank you for sharing your talents!
Welcome, Barbara! I’m so glad you found the site! We have a lot of fun around here with tablescapes, cooking and travel. 🙂