Kutani Ware Porcelain Relief Plate, Red & Gold, 16cm

At a glance

• Red-and-gold decoration and a scalloped relief edge give the plate presence even when it is empty
• Cat, Rabbit and Flower each create a different composition rather than simply changing colour
• Practical for cake, bread, fruit and side dishes, but decorative enough to display between uses

Some plates disappear into the cupboard once the food is gone. This one has enough detail to earn a place in view between meals.

Harekutani combines a softly scalloped relief form with akae, a traditional red-led overglaze style, adding fine gold accents and densely worked details across the white porcelain. The shaped edge catches light and shadow around the decoration, so the character comes from the form as well as the pattern.

The three designs take noticeably different directions. Cat builds the animal into the decoration, Rabbit creates a more story-like scene, while Flower fills the surface with a denser botanical pattern.

At 16cm, it works naturally for cake, toast, bread, fruit, starters and side dishes. When it is not being used, the decorative face can sit on an open shelf or plate stand; with a suitable secure plate hanger, it can also become part of a wall display.

That ability to move between tableware and display gives the plate more to offer than a conventional side plate.