Antique Oval Ironstone Platter from Chanteduc Kitchen 11½"

An antique oval ironstone platter from the main kitchen at Chanteduc, long stacked among its sturdy companions and always ready for service. Weighty in the hand, it shows a clear, luminous white with discreet speckling in the well. Patricia chuckles, “They didn’t keep their atelier clean!” pointing to the single beauty spot caught in the glaze, a tiny, telling trace of the workshop. The surface is smooth and glossy, with a broad rim and softly raised lip for confident carrying from oven to table. Generous in scale, it welcomes a roast chicken with vegetables, a heap of Provençal crudités, or a tumble of orchard fruit. From the personal collection of Patricia Wells, whose life between Paris and Provence prizes usefulness, craftsmanship, and a convivial table, it reflects her intelligent simplicity and exacting eye. Stand it upright on an open shelf amid your mise en place to enjoy its clean profile and that singular beauty spot, or press it into service for family‑style platters and celebratory meals alike.