The Oyster Plate

Dear Friends,

If you have ever spent time in our dining room at The Pelican, you will remember our collection of oyster plates - we've been collecting for decades and thought you might be interested in the history of this refined piece of diningware.

The rise of oysters in fine dining during the Victorian era created demand for this dedicated vessel. Paired with silver forks, they served as a status symbol for the affluent.

Crafted primarily from porcelain, majolica, or glass, they featured intricate, hand-painted patterns. Designs varied (geometric, kidney-shaped, "turkey") with 5-6 oyster wells and sometimes a central sauce well. Noteworthy makers included Haviland, Minton, and Union Porcelain Works.

Their use faded after World War I due to evolving customs and a decline in oyster populations.

Today, antique oyster plates are highly collectible, with value based on condition, maker, and decoration. 

What you see in our dining room at the Inn is just part of our collection - we keep some of our most prized in our home in Atlanta.

We're proud of our collection! See more of the collection on our Instagram profile.