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A former middle school principal, I am blissfully enjoying retirement with the Headmaster! Thank you for visiting, commenting, and following!

15 April 2012

Plating the Oyster!



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Photo by Bethany L. King

Behold...the OYSTER!  For many people (but not for all, including the Headmaster), there is nothing better than a plate full of fat, cold, salty oysters on a bed of ice with just a little ketchup, a lot of horseradish, and a dash of lemon juice--and of course, some wonderful person to shuck them!  What a fabulous treat!  Sadly, as a result of the BP oil spill two years ago, many of the oyster beds of the Gulf Coast were heavily affected, and oyster production, once highly prolific in the area, plummeted to lows never before seen.  But there is good news:  the beds are rejuvenating and the industry is starting to bounce back.  Prices are still quite high, but there are a number of restaurants that advertise special 'raw oyster nights' where the prices are great and the oysters are fat and delicious!  As we are now in April, this is traditionally the last month of the 'season', as oysters weren't traditionally consumed during the months of May, June, July, or August (the only ones without an 'R').  Back in the day, this was observed mainly because of the heat of the summer and the lack of refrigeration; today, however, oysters are great to eat anytime--and I can attest to the fact that they are yummy AND safe!

These days, oysters are served in ordinary plastic trays or platters if you are having them raw.  However, in Victorian times, you might have had yours presented to you in one of the thousands of oyster plates that were in high fashion during that time.

Stunning!


Limoges oyster plate


Majolica

  Since that time, oyster plates have become highly collectible, and can be found in antique shops and online sites ranging from a few to thousands of dollars (I, myself, am in the few dollar category)!  While there are serious collectors out there, I am not one of them; I look for what I like and if the price is really, really right, I might buy it.  Occasionally it comes with a Limoges or Haviland mark on the back; for me, that's nice but not necessary.  These plates can be very beautiful and can compliment  most any collection of china.  Here are a few of mine:









 Thanks to the Headmaster, we recently discovered another use for these beautiful plates: a vehicle for deviled eggs!  So, though you may not be an oyster lover, you might want to consider them to hold the eggs for next year's Easter celebration!

Thank you for visiting my new blog, and have a wonderful week!  Your comments are most appreciated, and I welcome your following me!

Here is a link to more information concerning oyster plates; additionally, you may view even more of these beautiful dishes on my Pinterest board!

Linking to A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesday
                Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
                Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
                Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
                Chic on a Shoestring for Flaunt It Friday


































35 comments:

  1. I never knew there were plates just for oysters. My mouth is watering just looking at that plate of oysters. I used to wait tables at a seafood restaurant called Pappas here in Houston and ate raw oysters all of the time. I doctored them up with horseradish, lemon and tabasco sauce...soooo good. That was YEARS ago...as in 25 years. Now I'll be craving oysters.

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    1. I'm craving them too, and could eat them anytime, Sharon! Thanks for visiting and commenting!
      ~N

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  2. Ernie and I love oysters. I am now going to start looking for the plates. These would make quite a conversation piece for our guests here in College Station, Texas, USA!!!
    Great post, Nancy

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  3. Oyster plates are little works of art! Thanks for finding so many pretty ones!
    YUMMY!
    Yvonne

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    1. Little works of art: what a perfect description! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
      ~N

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  4. I don't personally eat oysters, but those plates are amazing. So fancy!

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  5. I love the oyster plate and I am now following you via email.

    Cynthia
    clochesandlavender.com

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    1. Thanks for following, Cynthia! I appreciate your visit and your comments!
      ~N

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  6. Thanks for visiting, Pam! They are pretty, and I'm sure there could be many more uses for them!
    ~N

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  7. As a retired teacher I immediately focused on the name of your blog. So cute and clever.Beautiful plates.

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    1. Connie: as a retired TEACHER, you have a special place in heaven! Thanks so much for commenting!
      ~N

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  8. Wow! what a collection. I saw few plates like that in the auction houses here in Stockholm, but I didn't think about oysters, §:-)

    TY a mill for that info. Very informative, indeed.

    Happy mid-week.

    Greetings from Stockholm,
    /C

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! They are just beautiful, and can, I'm sure be used for a multitude of things!

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  9. Thanks for sharing your information and beautiful plates. I wouldn't have know what the plates were. Maybe because I am not an oyster eater but my husband loves them. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog.

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    1. Thanks so much, Judy for taking the time to comment! I know that oyster plates are a 'thing' in the south, but I'm sure they are all over, too! Where does your husband get his 'fix?'!!!!!
      ~N

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  10. Great plates! I think I have one oyster plate. I'm not an oyster fan.

    - The Tablescaper

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! Even if you don't like oysters, consider all the possibilities for these lovely things! :)
      ~N

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  11. Hi Nancy, I love love love oyster dishes and oysters too! Mr. Fun introduced them to me 30+ years ago on our first date. I didn't know that we avoided them in months without an "R" because of the refrigeration issue! You have a very nice collection of dishes and I am looking forward to seeing more of your posts. I am a follower. Linda

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    1. Thank you, Linda! The 'R' rule thing is a hold-over, I think, from the days when refrigeration was not as advanced as today. I'll take a good ol' fat and salty one any day, any month!
      ~N

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  12. I don't even like oysters but this post makes me want the dishes. Just beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Barbara! I'm sure that many uses could be found for them!!!
      ~N

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  13. Thanks for sharing your information about the raw oysters! I love the oyster plates and have always admired them for they have some of the prettiest shapes in china serving pieces. Your collection is so lovely and I like the fact your Headmaster likes to use them for deviled eggs. My husband was also a middle school principal before he became the textbook administrator for a large district in Texas (the books are furnished by the state)for which he created a computerized system. He has said, " A school is only as good as it's Principal". I know what a big job you had in being a Principal!

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! Regards to your principal hubs!!
      ~N

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  14. Hi Nancy, I'm in my fourth month of blogging and am also from Louisiana. My husband is the big oyster lover in our family. I love your plates! I'm going to be on the look out for some! I'm your newest follower! Blessings, Tammy

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    1. Hello, Tammy, and thank you for your comment! Let me know when you find some dishes! The ones I have I found on eBay; I don't see a lot of them in antique places, but am always on the lookout!
      ~N

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  15. Hi, Nancy

    I love your oyster plate collection. They are beautiful, though I don't think I could ever collect something so dainty because I would break them! (Though I do have a collection of china salad plates that were used in my grandfather's jewelry store as samples.) My husband hates oysters, but I love them. Lucky to have a local restaurant where the owner loves them too. He always has them and shucks them for you!
    Distressed Donna Down Home

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    1. It's great to always have a ready supply of those yummy things, isn't it!!!!
      ~N

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  16. Those are beautiful oyster plates! I am your newest follower :)

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  17. Thank you so much for visiting and following; I'm so happy that you enjoyed the plates!
    ~N

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  18. Beautiful oyster plates, I especially love the first plate. Thanks for showing us your collection.

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    1. Thank you so much! Actually, only the last three are mine...the first three are some from my Pinterest board! I wish they were ALL mine!!!

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  19. Nancy, these plates are gorgeous. I didn't even know such a thing existed...how stunning they are! Would be delighted for you to link up with us at Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/04/mop-it-up-mondays-13.html.
    Have a great week!
    {HUGS},
    kristi

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  20. Thanks, Kristi! I'm so happy that you have now discovered these beauties! Will definitely visit your site; however, I won't have anything to add this week....maybe next week!
    Nancy

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  21. New Mexico is not oyster country! I haven't gotten much exposure to them or much seafood in general. But I have always thought oyster plates are so beautiful. Wonderful collections show up in magazines now and then. To sub deviled eggs is a wonderful idea!

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  22. I love your oyster plate collection. I may have to start my own. I love oysters too!

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