Kitchen Essential

The history of crockery is a chequered one. There were times when nobles and merchants tried to outdo each other with beautiful china. In fact the splendour on the table was more important than the food on the plates. The finest porcelain (known as white gold) was painted with in several layers and decorated with gold leaf. Simplicity was the last thing anyone had in mind.

More recent times have provided us with cheap paper and plastic crockery. It didn’t matter whether it looked good or not — the most important thing was that it was practical. Decorated and disposable items are all crockery, but there is a world of difference between them.

It is easy to see how stylish and colourful they can be, and how many different shapes and types of materials are now available. All you have to do is look in the window of a department store, or take a look. There is elegant white crockery with the traditional gold edging, rustic pottery, romanticdesigns in pale colours or bolder ones with a gaudy mix of colours. Every type of decoration creates a different impression, sometimes powerful, sometimes more restrained. Use the effect which your crockery creates to bring about your decorative ideas, and you are already halfway to asuccessful table decoration.

There is an enormous range of white crockery, from canteen standard to that stamped “by appointment to”. The range of uses for white china is just as numerous because white crockery is restrained but also full of character. It combines coolsophistication with relaxed informality. You must use your other decorations to set the tone. Underplates in coloured china or silver will make a strong statement by either introducing colour or lending an air of refinement to your table.

Is your crockery striking? Of an unusual colour, pattern or design? Then make use of these colours and shapes in your additional decorations. The tablecloth should be a strong colour, with the decorative elements appearing again as little touches in the centre of the table; gaudy crockery should be brightly lit; the floral decoration on the table should match the floral pattern on the crockery. Think of ways in which the crockery and other decorations can becombined rather than just standing them next to one another on the table without any apparent connection.

Earthenware crockery with natural- coloured glazes and pottery creates a predominantly rustic effect. You can emphasise this by using natural materials for decoration, such as a tablecloth of coarse linen or sisal, clay pots as flower vases, thick ropes as napkin rings, and serving utensils made of wood; together with wild flowers, moss and grasses. Next time you have the chance, you should prove that these things can easily be combined in a tasteful table setting!

There is always the chance that you won’t have enough crockery for a large number of guests, so you must learn to improvise skilfully. The more bravely you face up to it, the more successful you are likely to be. Combine your dinner service with glass plates, or extend a colourful china service with plain white, or vice versa. However, whatever you use, the style should be similar to that of your main service, rather than mixing fine bone china with rustic “farmhouse” crockery

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