John Derian set up shop way back in 1989, but I've only just stumbled on his delicious array of eccentric, haunting motifs at Ben Pentreath. His range takes inspiration from centuries-old letters and advertisements, as well as all aspects of nature: from fruit, to eyeballs, to seaweed and beyond.
He then turns them into decoupage plates, paperweights, postcards and trays - and they're stunning. The plates in particular are fascinating: his motif of choice is reprinted and pieced together in layers under glass to give a deliciously textured, multi-dimensional effect.
The 'faience terrestre' plate (literally 'earthenware of the earth', I believe) pictured above was the first that turned my head. I can't stop staring at every last detail. It's £38.
Paris on a hot air balloon - how heavenly. This is £38 too, as is:
My eyes hurt from trying to understand how this is a flat plate. Red carnations have never looked so pretty.
I really should move away from the £38 plates now but I can't resist showing you this bold and eye-catching Mills' University Hotel one. There, it was worth it.
This half an orange has pips and all, and looks juicy enough to eat. It's £45, and he also does one in lemon.
The eye chart plate is as freaky as it is informative. They're £55 each.
Lastly, this isn't a plate but a tray - a tray decorated with an inventory of an attic from 1852, by the looks of it. They have a chinese fan and silver jewellery and lots of other things I can't read. It's £40.
There's so, so much more from John Derian that I wish I had room to show you (much of it is cheaper as well - his postcards are only £10.50 for 4) so I urge you to take a closer peek at what's on offer. When I'm rich, I shall buy them all.
Health warning! Did you know these plates are tiny? I bought one as a wedding present and when it arrived it was very beautiful but with a dimension the size of my palm (I have fairly normal sized hands). Good if you want a small plate; but not if you were expecting something more platter like.
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