Heroic Prune Plate

Editor’s Notes

Part of the John Derian collection, the Prune plate from Astier de Villatte is a testament to the Parisian brand’s spiritual ethos and John Derian’s iconic découpage.Votary of pre-industrial fabrication, Astier de Villatte is celebrated for being the one and only studio in Paris to hold and harbour the traditions of artisanal ceramic production. Restoring the ancestral systems of moulding and stamping, the Prune plate is made using techniques from the Middle Ages which involve moulding a sheet of handmade clay, double firing the ‘biscuit’ piece and glazing the product in white enamel – a lengthy process that requires a drying time of up to one month. Characterised by vintage découpage, the Prune plate is engraved with the brand’s signature crest – depicting an interlacing A & V – alongside John Derian’s name in block capitals. Each handmade piece tells a beautiful story, it romances and imparts a sense of nostalgia into its owner. Pair it with other ornate platters from the collection for a coordinated decorative approach.Artisanal production gives each ceramic object a unique aspect, meaning products may slightly vary.