Modern and restrained in form, expressive and rustic in glaze. The artisan's hand is authentically reproduced in this stoneware pattern designed exclusively for Crate & Barrel by ceramic artist and designer Kathy Erteman at her 18th Street studio in New York City. The collection's dinner plates have a contemporary matte black exterior that contrasts with the rustic beauty of a shiny, speckled white glazed interior ringed with the subtly raised spiral associated with hand-thrown pieces. Raised clay rims feature a sandy glaze that evokes the feel of exposed terracotta. To capture the artisan look of this dinnerware, Erteman modeled prototypes to true scale by hand with her original glazes as reference for production. In the words of the designer, "When making tableware, I consider design and the rigors of daily use. The spirit of my hand in these pieces is modest, to harmonize with and act as a support to the prepared ingredients." This set of eight dinner plates serves casual lunches and elegant entrees.