This example is a fake or fantasy oyster plate with a scalloped edge decorated with a pink and green floral design. There is bright gold trim around the center sauce well and edge of the plate. This plate was not made for actual table use. Its real intended use, the purpose for which plates like this are being made today, is to fool oyster plate collectors. This item was also not made in Limoges, France, though the spurious mark stamped on its reverse side was placed there to suggest it was.

With prices on real antique oyster plates steadily rising, new fakes, reproductions and fantasy plates have increased, too. These are primarily meant to be decorative, rather than useful, and to appeal specifically to oyster plate collectors (and their wallets) .

This plate is typical of new replica oyster plates in that it lacks characteristics of authentic French Limoges-made porcelain. Though items may bear marks suggesting them to be Limoges, if certain quality points are missing their absence helps to identify counterfeits, regardless of false marks. For instance, always expect true Limoges porcelain to be finely made. This means the article will be thinly potted and translucent. If not translucent, it is not Limoges. Visually, the item illustrated in this listing looks thick and indelicate. No grace is evident in the applied decoration and the gold trim is very bright, without patina. This plate looks new - because it is new.

Search in this shop to view general information on the topic of oyster plates being newly made today and to see additional examples of other designs for comparison.

Measures 9 1/8 inches diameter, 1 1/4 inches high and it has a 5 1/2 inch footed base.