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Cat PlatesCat plates have become increasingly popular among cat-loving collectors. Here you will find gift ideas, tips on how to use decorative cat-inspired plates to brighten up your home, and where to find them. Do you have a cat-loving friend who also loves collecting? In this case, looking for a unique cat lover gift will be easier! Among the different types of cat collectibles, cat-themed plates are indeed among the favorite. The gift of a cat plate will certainly be appreciated, whether the gift recipient already has a collection of cat plates or not. In this page you will also find: a very brief history of plates and porcelain, the joy of collecting decorative plates, and a few book suggestions. Plates and dishes…Dishes come in different sizes: from tiny saucers to large platters. Originally, plates were made only to serve food.Throughout history, however, people began collecting decorative plates. In fact, artists and artisans began creating plates to commemorate special occasions, such as royal weddings, festivals, and other noteworthy events. Eventually, decorative plates began to be made with the sole purpose of being displayed. Decorative plates can be made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, wood, stone and plastic. A cat lover and collectors' favoriteCat-inspired plates have grown in popularity lately because of the popularity of cats. Prices will vary depending on the quality of the plate. However, you can certainly find wonderful pieces at affordable prices.Gift Ideas:
Unique Gift Idea: Mini-plates make a fun and whimsical gift. You can find whole sets of mini cat-themed plates, which usually come with their own display rack. Decorating tipsDecorative plates can be used as a focal point in any room. A cat plate is a whimsical accessory that can beautify your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or the living room. In addition, these feline-inspired decorative pieces can be used to enhance a particular space such as a corner or a wall.Depending on your decorating style you can choose metal, wooden, porcelain, or clay plates. You can also play with color and texture to match the rest of your home decor. Besides regular decorative cat plates, you can also use platters and trays. A platter, for example, can be used to adorn your coffee table. Other places you can enhance with a cat plate are side tables, sofa tables, shelves and desks. Other uses for decorative cat plates In addition to their traditional use, cat plates can also serve other functions, such as:
Where to find cat plates There are quite a few places where you can find affordable decorative plates. For example,
The joy of collecting porcelain platesPorcelain plates are a very popular collectors items. Online and offline auctions, street fairs, antique shops, craft malls, and museum shops are great places to find unique and affordable collectible plates.So, what is porcelain? Porcelain is a solid ceramic material created by heating substances such as kaolinite. The Chinese were the first to make porcelain (around 600 A.D.). When trade routes between China and Europe were established, plates became a hot commodity among the European aristocracy. During the 18th century Europeans discovered the Chinese technique of making porcelain, and potters began to create beautiful pieces. During that period, however, porcelain was still too expensive for most people. It wasn't until the 19th century that porcelain became affordable for the average European and collecting souvenir plates grew in popularity. In the 20th century, European souvenir plates became very popular in the United States. Books on plate collecting and moreFor more information about plate collecting, pottery and porcelain, check out the following books:-A Collector’s Guide to Souvenir Plates by Arene Wiemers Burgess -Popular Souvenir Plates by Monica Lynn Clements and Patricia Rosser Clements -Collecting Oyster Plates by Jeffrey B. Snyder -China for America: Export Porcelain of the 18th and 19th Centuries by Jonathan A. Goldstein -Chinese Export Porcelain: Standard Patterns and Forms, 1780 to 1880 by Herbert Schiffer, Nancy Schiffer, and Peter Schiffer -Wheel-Thrown Pottery: An Illustrated Guide of Basic Techniques from the Hit DIY Show Throwing Clay by Bill van Gilder and Cara Biasucci
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