Everything You Need To Know About Cabbageware
Turn your spring table into a feast for the eyes using this timeless serveware staple.
Our recipe for creating a dreamy spring table is simple. The ingredients: Crisp white linens, fresh-cut flowers, glowing taper candles, a seasonal cocktail and — most importantly — leafy-green cabbageware at every seat. The serveware you remember lining your grandmother’s Easter table each year is making a comeback. Spoiler: It’s just as lovely as you remember.
Cabbageware ushers a whimsical feel to your table that appeals to diners of all ages. Adults will admire the nostalgic beauty of leaf-laden pieces, and little ones may find eating vegetables more enticing with an on-theme plate. (Okay, don’t quote us on that!)
Whether you’re interested in growing a cabbageware collection from scratch or want to build upon garden-inspired goodies you’ve collected over the years, you’re in the right place. Get the scoop on how this unlikely vegetable turned into a ceramic serveware mainstay, then shop our cabbageware favorites to make it a permanent fixture on your table.
Photo by: Heather Baird; Styling by H. Camille Smith
Heather Baird; Styling by H. Camille Smith
What is Cabbageware?
Cabbageware and lettuceware are ceramic serveware pieces sculpted and finished to resemble their vegetable namesakes. Items range from plates and platters to leafy candle holders and teapots, each hallmarked by their lifelike veggie charm.
Cabbageware often features the vegetable’s signature contrasting stalks, a subtly cupped silhouette and scalloped or ruffled leaves.
The History of Cabbageware
Cabbageware may be enjoying a renaissance now, but these garden-fresh ceramics have been sought-after by collectors and traditional design lovers since vegetable serveware became popular in 18th- and 19th-century Europe.
Portugal is renowned for producing some of the most exquisite artisan-crafted cabbageware in the world. Portuguese ceramicist Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro opened his Caldas da Rainha ceramic factory in 1884, and he became synonymous with naturalist designs, including cabbageware serving staples that remain the brand signature. Today, the Bordallo Pinheiro ceramic cabbage plates, platters and bowls continue to be artisan-crafted in Portugal, using the same techniques and meticulous artistry as the late 19th century.
This artisan-crafted set includes four cabbage bowls with textural leaves, scalloped edges and hand-painted veining. Layer each bowl atop a coordinating cabbage starter and dinner plate to create a lush, layered display.
Those who have journeyed to southern Italian coasts know that fruit and vegetable ceramics are staples on restaurant tables throughout the region. While glazed lemons and olive designs are prevalent today, the E. B. Napoli studio designed delicate lettuceware during the late 19th and early 20th century that inspired cabbageware in the years ahead.
Cabbageware soared in popularity during the 1960s thanks to Palm Beach pottery maven Dodie Thayer. Thayer was a self-taught potter who put lettuceware back on the map with her hand-crafted creations. Her work gained popularity with legendary celebrities, including Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis and Frank Sinatra. Although Dodie Thayer passed away in 2018, you can splurge on one of her originals online, or purchase one of the lively pieces from the Tory Burch x Dodie Thayer collaboration.
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Shop Our Fresh Finds
These plates put a transitional twist on the traditional serveware with a showstopping sky blue hue. Make this tablescape your muse: Pair the striking dinner plates with blue-and-white linens, bamboo cutlery, fresh-cut garden blooms and rattan basket accents for a spring-forward table display.
Up the ambiance on your dining table, console or bookcase with this sculptural cabbage candlestick. The holder features a painterly base of celery-green leaves adorned with a mix of white and merlot blooms. Try a fuschia taper for a punchy, contemporary look, or opt for a white candle for a traditional take.
Welcome the timeless trend to your Easter table with this adorable (and affordable) egg serving platter. The cabbage stoneware platter accommodates six eggs in a petal pattern and is held up by two handsome bunnies.
If you’re drawn to cabbageware for its organic appeal but find many pieces feel a smidge too traditional for your taste, you can get in on this trend without compromising your aesthetic. This stoneware bowl forgoes the ruffled cabbage silhouettes for an elegant, elongated shape that aligns with contemporary style. It also features the dimensional, glazed texture expected from cabbageware pieces, but it appears more current with a creamy beige finish.
Transcend beyond typical serving essentials and treat yourself to a decorative piece. This hand-painted, embossed vase is versatility at its finest, working overtime as a stunning vessel for springtime blooms and a chic corral for your stove-side cooking utensils.
The Tory Burch Lettuceware Teapot is an unmatched investment for novice collectors and longtime cabbageware lovers alike. Each stoneware pot includes a leafy lid, boasts one-of-a-kind brushstrokes and features a Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch maker’s mark, ensuring it becomes an heirloom piece.
This Parisian-designed plate ensures each meal begins on a stylish foot. It boasts a convincing stalk and leaves enlivened with a hand-painted aubergine finish to resemble purple cabbage. The best part: The rich tone plays well with pastel linens for springtime hosting and jewel-toned finishes for fall festivities.
Bring garden-grown style to your kitchen shelves or countertops with this cabbage bowl trio. The set includes three bowls in varying sizes that are ideal for preparing and serving your family’s favorite springtime recipes. The leafy bowls are freezer-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Styling tip: Put the largest bowl at the center of your dining table piled high with fresh citrus or blooms, and use the smaller two bowls for seasonal sweets on the coffee table or entry console.
Swap out your classic appetizer plate for this texture-rich cabbage leaf alternative at your next alfresco brunch. The glossy white finish makes it easy to incorporate these plates with green cabbageware or standard white dinner plates.
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