Set of Three Blue and White Olivades Melamine Trays

A stackable set of three blue and white melamine trays from the teaching kitchen at Chanteduc, Patricia Wells’ home in Provence. Made by Olivades and printed in the Les Indiennes pattern, their inky blue seed motifs repeat crisply on a warm white ground. Each tray has softly rounded corners and a smooth, practical finish; the trio graduates from petite to generous and stacks neatly when not in use. They show gentle surface wear consistent with careful, regular use in a professional home kitchen. From the personal collection of Patricia Wells, the internationally respected journalist, restaurant critic, cookbook author and cooking school founder. Essential tools in her classes, Patricia explains these were her "mise-en-place" trays, filled with ingredients she measured for each student before cooking together. The Indienne tradition began as hand printed cottons imported from India in the 17th century; banned in France in 1686 to protect silk and wool, it was legalized again in 1759 and Provençal workshops in Marseille and Avignon flourished. Founded in 1818, Olivades continues to preserve and reinterpret these motifs. A wonderful testament to thirty-five years of generous teaching and the love language of French cooking, put them to work ferrying herbs from the garden, organizing pre-dinner drinks on the terrace, or corralling cutlery and napkins on a buffet. Their Provençal pattern and honest utility suit both kitchen and table.