Merging Art and Craft: How Fine Arts Influenced Catalonia Plates Collections

Have you ever noticed how a beautiful plate can transform even the simplest meal? It's fascinating how tableware has evolved far beyond just holding food. These days, the plates and bowls we use are becoming artistic statements in their own right.

Great chefs know that plating is an art form, but the right plate can take a dish from visually appealing to truly extraordinary.

Inspired by different art movements, Catalonia Plates blends craftsmanship with aesthetics. From the influence of classical art to modern artistic movements, we bring you premium dinnerware that tells a story at your table. In this article, we uncover the artistry behind our haute cuisine tableware selections.

Atica and Ancient Greek Art

Ancient Greek pottery was a means of storytelling. Thousands of years ago, Greek artisans were into making intricate painted scenes that depicted mythology and everyday life. The Atica Collection does something similar today, turning your everyday plates and bowls into something meaningful.

This collection embodies the Greek art legacy through its handcrafted glass pieces with soft and organic silhouettes. With an emphasis on craftsmanship over mass production, it pays homage to the techniques used by Greek artisans. When you're serving food on Atica pieces, you're connecting to this ancient tradition and artistry.

Salina and Monet Impressionism

Drawing inspiration from Claude Monet’s Impressionism, the Salina Collection embodies elegance and modern functionality. Just as Monet often painted landscapes, these plates reflect the rippled surface of salt flats. These are tableware pieces that capture the fleeting moment and are reminiscent of natural landscapes.

Salina tableware pieces take Monet's famous loose brushstrokes and bring them into your everyday meals. Both Salina plates and trays are perfectly sized for serving a variety of dishes. Each piece is easy to stack, glossy glazed on the interior, and finished by hand for a unique organic look and feel.

Barcelona and Modernism

Lasting from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, Modernism embraced minimalism and abstract forms. In tableware design, this means making pieces that focus on form rather than function.

Modernist tableware usually doesn't have a lot of decorations on it. Instead, it has geometric shapes that make you appreciate the materials used, like porcelain, glass, and metals.

Among our premium tableware pieces, we have the Barcelona Collection, which captures the spirit of modernist architecture. Its movements give the impression of waves breaking against Barcelona’s rocky coast.

If you look at a Barcelona plate or bowl, it somehow resembles a miniature architectural model itself. The use of curved surfaces and three-dimensional features aligns with modernist principles.

Trencadis and Works of Gaudi

Antoni Gaudí was an important figure in Catalan Modernism, and Barcelona was forever changed by his architectural vision. e decorated many parts of the city with a clay mosaic style called trencadis.

As a tribute to the renowned Spanish article, we named our Trencadis collection after his signature mosaic technique. This Gaudi-inspired tableware has irregular, fragmented patterns that create a visual texture.

The pattern on our Trencadis plates creates a play of light and shadow, similar to how mosaics on a building's surface interact with sunlight.

Kyoto/Takumi and Japonisme

The Japonisme trend began when Japanese art and style spread all over the Western world in the late 1800s. Asymmetrical designs, the use of negative space, and a focus on simplicity are some of the most important elements of Japonisme.

Among our wide range of haute tableware pieces, we have two distinct collections inspired by the Japanese culture.

First, we have Kyoto, which features pureness and simplicity. Our Kyoto pieces can be displayed in multiple combinations, thanks to their flat surface being easy to work on. This echoes the Japonisme influence on composition, where artists explored new ways of arranging elements within a defined space.

Another Japanese-inspired collection is the Takumi. In Japan, being a Takumi master means that you have reached the highest level of craftsmanship. This resonates with the Japonisme appreciation for meticulous detail and skilled artistry. Made with handcrafted glass, our Takumi plates and trays stand out for their organic texture and asymmetrical shape.

Granit and Brutalism

Brutalism is known for having a rough, unfinished look. The movement was mostly about architecture, but its principles have affected other art forms, such as tableware. Brutalist designs often use earthy colors, rough surfaces, and simple shapes.

The Granit tableware line can be considered a brutalist piece. This collection is meant to look like granite and features the rough and natural look of natural stone.  Made from durable stoneware, its rough-smooth texture offers a tactile, earthy appeal—similar to what brutalist artwork looks like.

Conclusion: Dining as an Art Form

Here at Catalonia Plates, we believe tableware is a canvas for expression. It’s a way to express yourself, tell stories, and connect with others. Each collection serves as conversation pieces that turn everyday dining into an immersive, artful experience.

To explore these exquisite pieces and more, you may browse through our entire tableware collections.