Alcoa Arte Portuguese Pottery Alcobaça Ceramic Olive Serving Dish with Pit Holder, White, 5.5 inches x 6.5 inches x 1.5 inches

Serving plates don’t need to be boring. Beautiful and original, this traditional Alcobaça Ceramic hand-painted olive dish is as appealing as it is practical. The 2 compartments make one ideal item for serving olives as tapas, passing them around the dinner table or perching them on a side table at a party. If you’re not tempting guests with tasty selections of olives, use these plates to decorate your kitchen with a little Portuguese décor flair. Each piece is crafted by a talented family of artisans in Alcobaça, a town known for making ceramic creations for hundreds of years. Inspired by the traditional Viana embroidery, which pays tribute to the young couples that secretly embroidered a handkerchief with messages of love during an era when modesty was enforced strictly, and couples couldn’t show any display of affection until marriage. “Lenços dos Namorados” (Sweetheart Handkerchiefs) are handkerchiefs made of linen or cotton and embroidered with several related love patterns. This piece of handcraft is part of the typical clothing from Minho province (in Northern Portugal) and used by women of marrying age. The heart is one of the most popular motifs along with the 3 or 4 leaf clover, which appears in heart shapes, usually depicted in red, blue or white. Flowers, camelias, carnations and stars complement the exquisitely beautiful embroidery.

• Made in Portugal – This olive serving dish is handmade and hand painted in Alcobaça, Portugal by a family of master artisans and according to traditional techniques. The color combination couldn't be better, allowing you to serve your guests in style.
• Divided Dish – With 2 split compartments, one for olives and one for pits these are very functional plates that will complement any table, venue, or décor. This is a very traditional and typical item, found in most Portuguese homes and restaurants.
• Food Safe and Lead free – These ceramic olive dishes are food safe and lead free making them the perfect solution for serving olives or other appetizers and snacks, as well as dipping sauces. They are great for your happy hours and parties and are microwave and dishwasher safe.
• Painting – Presents a vibrant and colorful floral decoration celebrating the “Lenços dos Namorados” (Sweetheart Handkerchiefs) with several related love patterns like hearts, flowers, or 4 leaf clovers that will add a touch of tradition and vintage style to your home décor, table or kitchen
• Great Gift from Portugal – With a nice craftsmanship and charming design, they serve as both: decorative ceramics as well as a functional kitchen accessory making these a great gift for any home.