Today we are going to talk plates, but ones you hang on the wall.
I am writing this on Sunday, while taking a break from standing on a step stool trying to hang a mochaware platter the size of a small shield. I bought myself three of them for Mother's Day and am attempting to hang them in my office, alone, because I simply cannot wait for my husband.
I've been collecting plates (for my walls) for about ten years now, here and there. After visiting Tangier last year, I've been inspired to get back into collecting them, and specifically into larger format.
Plates on walls add dimension in a way that framed art can’t. Luckily for me, and now you, the antique/small-maker market is ripe with great ones, which means you can build a wall without spending a fortune.
I went down a rabbit hole and pulled together finds in three categories, with some inspiration images for each to give you a sense of how they could look on a wall. My advice is to commit to a style family, then vary within it. You want cohesion, but not for every plate to be the exact same.
Splatter & Mochaware
This is where my Mother’s Day platters fall. Splatterware and mochaware are American pottery traditions. I pulled in some Romanian pieces in this roundup because the styles are pretty similar, and they tend to be a little more affordable.
My platters are from SJ Pottery, a maker I came across at the Mount Vernon gift shop (a hilarious place to find someone, but we do love a good gift shop).
SJ Pottery has since been discovered by Tory Burch (proof I am onto the right things!). I ordered some mugs from Tory Burch for due diligence and can confirm they are still the real deal, so I stand by the recs below.
Top row, left to right:
SJ Pottery x Tory Burch salad plates (set of 4; 8.5 in; $210) I can confirm these are fabulous, heavy, 10/10. Pivot from the wall plan and use on your summer table?
1960s Bennington Potters splatter plate (10.5 in; $28) I’m imagining hung as a single in a mudroom above a door (or used as a key tray).
Romanian slipware plate (6 in; $30) Petite but great colors!
Middle row, left to right:
Tory Burch spongeware (set of 2; 11 in; $90) Also a pivot to the summer table instead of the wall, but they are great.
Vintage Peruvian plates (set of 2; 12 in; $32) Guys, I love these. I almost bought them for myself. Insane price.
Italian oval splatterware platter (16 in; $105) Love this long skinny shape.
Bottom row, left to right:
SJ Pottery extra large platter (16 in; $320) This is what I ordered for Mother’s Day, they are incredible.
Vintage Romanian Herezu (4 in; $12) Too small for the wall, but I just love this pseudo mochaware technique. Good little gift.
SJ Pottery x Tory Burch mochaware dinner plates (set of 2; 12 in; $160 ) I may order these for actual use next.
Folk
If you have a newer house (or really any space that feels like it needs more warmth and age) folk plates are where I’d start. The undertones are more terra cotta, so they bring an earthiness and age to a room. Folk works across a surprising range of interiors styles/vibes.
They are probably the most cost-effective category too, which makes them a great entry point if you're building your first plate wall.
Top row, left to right:
This set sold before I could publish — search for antique southwestern folk ceramics
1920s Hungarian flower (8 in; $60) Would go great with the other Hungarian plate below.
This one also sold before I could publish — here’s one similar
Middle row, left to right:
1930s Hungarian folk plate (9.8 in; $85) Love the colors and age.
Vintage Greek Rhodos (9 in; $30) I like a lot of this seller’s plates with the greek keys.
Vintage Tonala 1960s Mexican plates (set of 2; 11.5in; $95) This is the collection I have started in our NYC kitchen.
Bottom row, left to right:
1970s Georges Briard charger ($34) Your theme could also be equestrian!
1970s Transylvania Horezu plate ($70) The seller sent me 20% off so make an offer (the shipping is expensive but worth it if you order multiple.) So many good ones.
Vintage Hans Schneider Swiss folk plate (8 in; $35) This would be so fun in a little boys room.
Oyster & Majolica
The last roundup is the most expensive because it’s the plate du jour of the moment. Traditional oyster plates (mostly French) are popular right now and the prices reflect it. I also included Majorcan plates in this group (the ones with a raised, relief-like texture).
Top row, left to right:
Classic vintage oyster plates (9.5 in; $175) Can’t get more classic than this! Easy to build over time.
1870s Adams & Bromley fish plate (10.5 in; $625) An actual antique and collectible. A plate for the plate people.
Antique Sarreguemines fruit plates (set of 6; 7.5 in; $75) Good value.
Middle row, left to right:
Antique Sarreguemines oyster plate (7.5 in; $100) I love the scalloped edge.
Antique Villeroy & Boch Majorlica plate set (set of 3; $200) I almost, almost bought these for myself. I love them so much.
Handmade cabbage leaf platter (9 in; $70) Sometimes you want something that isn’t a circle.
Bottom row, left to right:
Rabbit Majolica plates (set of 2; 10 in; $60) Charming! Could save them and whip them out at Easter.
1900 Majolica asparagus plate (9 in; $145) Classic majolica and will hold it’s value.
Digoin Sarreguemines Barbotine oyster plates (set of 2; 10 in; $127) Love the pink/blue color combo — different than the usual greens.
How to Hang Them
For smaller plates, I love and swear by the English disc hangers, which are basically a wet adhesive disc you press onto the back. They’re invisible from the front, they hold well, and they’re so easy to put up.
For larger or heavier plates (like my new platters) I use a wire plate hanger. I recently saw a recommendation from Lucy Williams for JES hangers, that you could also try.
Remember, you also don’t have to go full gallery wall. I love the little surprise of a lone plate tucked above a doorframe or next to a sconce. It’s more about balance than quantity.
This is only my second post, so I'm still figuring out what you want to hear about and what works well. Leave me a comment and let me know!
Finders Keepers,
SN
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Each week I’ll be sharing things from across home, fashion, travel, and littles, and mostly wherever my vintage hunting and rabbit-hole deep dives take me.
I’ve always loved the look of oyster plates but have talked myself out of buying them because I don’t eat oysters. This post is the permission slip I needed to buy them as wall art instead!
The tangier inspo pic is INSANE. So much warmth and character, I don’t even know what to do with myself! The problem, as with many things, are there are too many incredible ones to choose from!