26 showstopping serveware pieces for Christmas and beyond

Setting a good table is all about creating an atmosphere for your guests (or yourself) – it’s a way to show you care, and it adds an extra dimension to a meal. Sitting down to eat is never purely about the cuisine itself, after all. As the festive season looms larger on the horizon, we’ve gathered some of the most beautiful platters, dishes, jugs, boards and serving spoons for your delectation, from earthy stoneware beauties to delicate glass urns.

Slipware is undoubtedly having a moment, its rich colours and rustic style of decoration recalling the past in a pleasing way. Many of the pieces below use this technique, which is one of the oldest in the UK. Enamel serveware has a similarly nostalgic feeling, and with its affordability and bright range of shades, is an easy way to brighten up any table.

Patia Davis Long Oval Platter – Green DPSS2

Sgraffito Slipware Platter, Deer

Flagon Ceramic by Joshua Williams

Hiroko Aono – Billson – Raked Bowl

Astrantia Charger, Earthenware by Hannah McAndrew

Large Green earthenware jug, by Douglas Fitch

Mervyn Gers Ceramics, Hand-Glazed Ceramic Large Bowls (Set of 6)

HAY, Barro Oval Dish – Large – Natural with Stripe

Natural materials such as resin, wood and rattan are always stylish, and the pieces below are all set for an elegant table. If in doubt, go for simple styles like the delicately scalloped white ceramic of Skye McAlpine’s tableware brand, Tavola, or a gently frilly terracotta bowl. We also love Mouki Mou’s smoked glass jug – absolutely perfect for serving water or wine.

Romilly Serving Dish, Green

Temple Cake Stand, Sandy Pearl

Temple Cake Knife, Sandy Pearl

Broste Copenhagen Large Olina Chopping Board

Bobbin Serving Spoons, Apple Green Regular

Fern Platter by Astier de Villatte, 40cm

Gigli Pedestal Bowl, Terracotta

Bollenglass Design, Series B Vase in Smoke

For whimsical, beautiful serveware, we adore The Shop Floor Project, whose ceramic pieces stand at the junction of art and design. How charming to lift up a roast potato to find one of Michaela Gall’s naive portraits gazing up at you? For classic blue and white florals, look to Burleigh, whose designs never seem to go out of style, or for something more modern, Feldspar’s delicate pottery is just about as elegant as it gets. And if a simple wooden cheese board isn’t quite your style, look for an ebonised version, which adds a little more drama. Jamie Gaunt’s plate scoops are rather wonderful in this regard.

English Delftware Sprigged Oval Platter

Ink Blue Hibiscus Large Footed Bowl Seconds

Large Oval Face Platter (Bobble)

Extra Large Ebonised Oak Plate Scoops by Jamie Gaunt

The Mirror Broke by Michaela Gall