More than simply functional vessels for serving food, handmade modern ceramics transform an everyday meal into one of beauty and sophistication. Brimming with character and heirloom-quality craftsmanship, each of these four collections makes a perfect – and visually appealing – dinner companion.  

1

Oval Serving Platters by Haand

Founded in 2012 by ceramist Mark Warren and potter Chris Pence, Haand has become synonymous with handmade pottery pieces that are as elegant as they are practical. A favourite choice in high-end hospitality and restaurant circles, the North Carolina-based brand prioritizes high-quality materials and sustainable, low-waste production (using rainwater for slip casting, reclaiming and recycling scrap clay, for instance) while creating compellingly asymmetrical designs that are super-durable and tinted with a curated collection of beautiful glazes.  

From perfectly imperfect dinner sets to ramekins and nesting bowls, each piece of pottery offered by Haand is hand-crafted by skilled artisans and brings a one-of-a-kind character to tablescapes. An evergreen option for both professional and private entertainers is the three-piece oval platter sets – designed to be nested, the three organically shaped and differently sized dishes can be used for serving up everything from snacks to whole feasts while delivering a healthy dose of artisanal flair. The platters are available in a range of hues, including matte white, light celadon and burl (a varied and earthy tone reminiscent of petrified wood). 

2

La Pittura Collection by Hay

A collaboration with artist Emma Kohlmann, the La Pittura hand-painted modern ceramics tableware collection from Hay was born from a shared belief that creativity and beauty belong in everyday life and draws on Kohlmann’s “playful and expressive visual universe.” Featuring plates, bowls, cups, serving platters, jugs, vases and trivets, the series covers all entertaining bases. 

Arriving at the intersection of functional objects and works of art, the pieces in La Pittura (meaning “the painting” in Italian) are adorned with the artist’s signature hand-drawn motifs and brushstrokes that manage to be child-like and sophisticated at once. Fascinated with historical ceramics since childhood, Kohlmann looked to sources like European Renaissance apothecary jars to Tuscan earthenware for inspiration for her lively designs, which are hand-crafted by skilled Sri Lankan artisans. No two pieces look alike but do share a common tactility and whimsy, lending a sense of occasion to even the simplest of meals. 

3

Broken Ceramics by WASTED by Potato Head

Experimental British designer Max Lamb and Potato Head have teamed up to tackle waste in a stunning way – through a homeware line comprised mainly from discarded materials that have been diverted from the waste stream. There are eight “material families” in Collection 001 by WASTED – including recycled HDPE plastics, natural dyes made from composted organic matter, retired hotel linens, broken glass, used cooking oil, composites like Styrofoam and oyster shells, sustainably harvested Balinese bamboo and salvaged ceramics – with each being transformed into practical and sustainable objects. 

With the Broken Ceramics portion of the collection – designed by Lamb and made with Tanah Pottery (a local artisan ceramics studio) – serving bowls and plates are made from a mix of crushed recycled glass bottles and Balinese clay before being finished with an experimental satin glazing technique. The results are poetic and purposeful, and represent an innovative closed-loop design system aimed at redefining how materials are sourced and reproduced. 

4

Hoshikage Collection by Noritake

In 2024, Japanese tableware brand Noritake celebrated its 120th anniversary with the launch of its Noritake Design Collection, a series of collaborations with globally recognized designers – an initiative by the brand’s chief creative director Yuichiro Hori to honour its century-old traditions while elevating its artistry and innovation for a new generation. 

Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, Hoshikage is the first installment to be released – and the first-ever tableware collection by the renowned duo. Named after the Japanese word for “starlight,” the 19-piece collection of modern ceramics was inspired by both the celestial and the astral, and features patterns (in light and dark versions) that play with light, colour and texture. A technique called “yohen” gives the plates, bowls, saucers and cups a luminous glow and iridescence that highlight the beauty of hand-made imperfection. Considered by Noritake to be more than simple tableware, the Hoshikage collection is an invitation to make every meal a memorable one that celebrates creativity and culture.