The 'Ribbed Leaf' plate is crafted by famed French ceramic maker Bourg-Joly Malicorne.
 
This is an individual side plate measuring just under 5 1/2 inches long by about 4 inches wide. It may be used as a bread plate, side plate, or a small serving plate for candies and/or nuts, or simply used to hold your trinkets. 
 
**Please note that this is a pre-order, with an 8-12 week lead time prior to being shipped. Each object is made-to-order.**
 
**Please note that handcrafted ceramics display minor imperfections from the creation process. Trapped air, producing slight air bubbles, is inevitable and color may vary.**
 
A Guide to Bourg-Joly Malicorne Ceramicware
 
These exquisite earthenware pieces are made from raw clay, and in this case white. The same formula of raw material being used dates to the 18th century. 
 
For certain objects, a process called calibration is performed. This is when a machine holds a plaster mold, and by rotating it, the craft maker's hands pushes the raw material into the object's final shape. 
 
Other objects are formed by a process called stamping, in which the craftsman takes rolled out clay, and gently presses it into a plaster mold, resulting in the clay taking its form. 
 
Once calibrated, molded, turned, and trimmed, the 'open-work' can be done. The craftsman pierces the clay with a scalpal to create fine openings that are inspired by the work of lace-makers. 
 
After an initial fire, the 'biscuit' piece is immersed into an enamel bath. Each piece is then inspected, smoothed, and re-touched, as necessary, to guarantee its exceptional quality of finish.
 
It is on the raw glaze that the artisan paints freehandedly or positions the stencil using a crystal paper template stamped with tiny 'poncif' holes.  Once correctly positioned, it is dusted with charcoal powder, and the outline appears in the raw enamel.
 
Lastly, the artist applies oxide-based colors with a brush, a technique like watercolor, and this is how the objects are transformed into their true works of art.
 
The final firing glazes the enamel and the decoration, a culmination of a long manufacturing process.