The Headmistress: Collections

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.

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!

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