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Dishware is the general term used for dishes used in serving and eating food. Dishwares may be made of earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, glass, wood, metals like pewter and durable plastics like melamine resin. Disposable dishes made of paper or lightweight plastics may be used for casual eating or take outs.
Dishware consists of plates, bowls, teacups, saucers, mugs and serving dishes.

Plates
A plate is a type of dishware, being a broad, concave but mainly flat vessel on which food is served. Plates are commonly made from ceramic materials such as bone china, porcelain and stoneware as well as other materials like plastic or glass; occasionally, wood or carved stone is used. Disposable plates are often made from paper. Plates for serving food come in a variety of sizes, from small saucers, to bread and butter plates, to dinner plates, to large platters from which food for several people may be distributed at table. Some plates are made as decorative items for display rather than used for food.

Bowls
The bowl, a common open-top container used in many cultures to serve food, and is used for drinking and storing other items. They are typically small and shallow, although some, such as punch bowls and salad bowls, are larger and often intended to serve many people. Bowls have existed for thousands of years. Modern bowls can be made of ceramic, metal, wood, plastic, and other materials. Their appearance can range from very simple designs of a single color to sophisticated artwork.

Teacups
A teacup is a small cup with a handle, generally a small one that may be grasped with the thumb and one or two fingers. It is typically made of porcelain (”china”). It is usually part of a set, composed of a cup and a matching saucer. These in turn may be part of a tea set in combination with a teapot, cream jug, covered sugar bowl and slop bowl en suite. Better teacups typically are of fine white translucent porcelain and often decorated with floral patterns. Teacups are wider and shorter than coffee cups. Teacups are made of porcelain because plastic cups may melt and become too hot. Metal teacups are not common but are useful for camping/outdoor trips or for use by young children.

Saucers
A saucer is a small type of dishware specifically for use with and for supporting a cup intended for coffee or tea. The saucer has a raised center with a depression sized to fit a mating cup. Saucers were originally used to cool the contents of the cup; the hot liquid was poured into the saucer, with the wider surface area cooling the liquid rapidly. Presently, the saucer is no longer used for this purpose. The saucer is useful to protect surfaces from possible damage due to the heat of a cup and to catch overflow, splashes, and drips from the cup thus protecting both table linen and the user. The saucer also provides a convenient place to place a damp spoon, as might be used to stir the drink in the cup in order to mix sweeteners or creamers into tea or coffee. Although often part of a place setting in a dinner set, teacups with unique styling are often sold with matching saucers, sometimes alone, or as part of a tea set, including a teapot and small dessert plates.

Mugs
A mug is a sturdily built type of cup often used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Mugs have handles and often hold a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. In setting that are more formal, a mug is usually not used for serving hot beverages, with a teacup or coffee cup being preferred. Many mugs are made of ceramic materials such as earthenware, bone china, porcelain or stoneware. Some are made from strengthened glass, like Pyrex. Other materials, including plastic, steel and enameled metal are used where break resistance is necessary such as for campers. Techniques such as silkscreen printing or decals can be used to apply decorations which are fired onto the mug to ensure permanence.

Serving dishes
A platter is a large type of dishware used for serving food. Food is displayed and served to people on a tray. It can have oval, round, rectangular or square. It can be made of steel, ceramic or plastic. Plain and ornate platters suitable for more formal settings or occasions are made of or plated with silver and antique examples are considered quite valuable. Especially expensive and ceremonial platters have been made of gold.

A salver is a flat tray of silver or other metal used for carrying or serving glasses, cups and dishes at table.

A tray is a shallow platform designed for carrying things. It is larger than a salver and it can be fashioned from numerous materials, including silver, brass, sheet iron, wood, melamine, and papier-mâché. Some examples have raised galleries, handles, and short feet for support. Trays are flat, but with raised edges to stop things from sliding off them. They are made in a range of shapes but are commonly found in oval or rectangular forms, sometimes with cutout or attached handles with which to carry them.

Corelle Livingware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set: Features Highly chip and break-resistant 16-piece dinnerware set with 4 place settings Each place setting includes a dinner plate, bread and butter plate, soup/cereal bowl, and glass Corelle’s unique lamination process ensures extremely durable and lightweight dinnerware Safe in the microwave, oven, and dishwasher 1-year warranty.

Sango Concepts 16 pc dinnerware Set: Sango Concepts, available in a choice of colors, sets a casual, everyday table with durable stoneware. Like many Sango patterns, Concepts is finished with a high-gloss, reactive glaze that gives each piece a distinctive, handmade look. The coupe-style plates, quite flat, are designed with a minimal rim, while the soup/cereal bowl rests on a slight pedestal foot.

Sango Nova Ice Cream Bowls: The remarkable popularity of Nova Brown inspired this new collection featuring soft blues. Ranging from cornflower to deep indigo, the tones recall your favorite pair of comfy jeans. Just the right sort of feeling for casual dining. Please note: variations in surface and glaze are intrinsic to handcrafted stoneware and no two pieces are exactly the same.

Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set: Pyrex Prepware cobalt 3-piece mixing bowl set includes 1-each 1-quart bowl, 1-each 1-1/2-quart bowl, 1-each 2-1/2-quart bowl. Whether you are preparing a multi-course meal or simply a snack for one, Pyrex offers products which make food preparation a little easier, from beginning to end.

Jamie Oliver’s Vintage Chic Border 6-1/4-Inch Tea Saucer: Subtle whites and pale blues paired with vintage shapes and modern twists allow each piece to blend nicely with most modern and classic tableware patterns. This saucer features a fancy scalloped rim in the style of antique china, and a blue striped border that fades to white, giving it a modern edge. But the high-quality porcelain pieces from Vintage Chic aren’t merely attractive. Also highly functional, the 6-1/4-inch saucer boasts a wide rim that, when fitted with the cup, leaves plenty of room for a teaspoon and a teabag. Safe to use in the dishwasher and microwave, the saucer is backed by Royal Worcester’s one-year warranty against defects.

Royal Albert Collectible Teas Cup and Saucer: An afternoon tea party would not be complete without this collectible tea cup and saucer set. A background of soft peppermint damask gracefully showcases the timeless pink and yellow country roses. Set on a bed of greenery, the delicate flowers resemble those growing in a classic English garden. A hand-trimmed border in 22-carat gold decorates both the tea cup and saucer and completes the romantic design. The saucer measures 5-1/2 inches in diameter, while the tea cup holds 6-1/2 ounces and is adorned with an ornately arched handle.

Anchor Hocking 6-Pack 11-Ounce Cup of Joe Mug: Anchor Hocking is a leading marketer and manufacturer of glass products made right here in the United States of America. Anchor Hocking was founded in 1905, and has over a hundred years experience making dependable, quality glass for use in your home or business. Anchor Hocking produces glassware that people can use in their homes every day.

Bodum Bistro Double-Wall Insulated Glass Mug: Winners of the 2007 iF Product Design Award, the Bistro Double Wall Glasses are available in several sizes, perfectly suited for a multitude of hot and cold beverages as well as desserts. Handmade of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, these vessels insure that their contents will remain hot for a longer period of time while the glass itself remains cool to the touch. They are dishwasher and microwave safe. The coffee andf tea mugs come as a set of 2 and hold 310ml (10 oz.)

Over & Back White Rectangular Platter: The White Over & Back Rectangular Platter has sleek style and great versatility. Crafted of glazed earthenware with handles cut into the simple design, the tray serves its purpose for appetizers or as a showcase for candles or decorative centerpieces. Ideal for get-togethers both formal and casual, this roomy platter is a wonderful wedding or hostess gift. Coordinates with the Over & Back Rectangular Serving Tray & Decorative Stand, and the 3-Piece White Serving Set, each sold separately. Dishwasher safe. Imported. 17-1/2Lx13W”.

Miller Rogaska by Reed & Barton Crystal Soho 13-Inch Platter: Stacks of brownies or sandwiches, or a single layer of hors d’oeuvres-all kinds of delicacies serve up beautifully on this 13-inch Soho platter. Crafted of full-lead crystal, the platter is perfectly flat with a slight lip at the edge to prevent food from sliding off. Long cuts radiate out from the center of the platter in a sunburst design, catching the light with flame-like brilliance. The platter complements a wide range of Soho crystal, including other tabletop serveware, stemware, and barware.

Zak Designs Gallery Medium Trays: Lightweight yet sturdy, Zak Designs Gallery trays make it easy to have breakfast in bed or lemonade and cookies under a shade tree. This medium-sized version in sophisticated glossy black features a rectangular serving area framed by tall sides and curved corners to securely hold plates, bowls, and glassware. The melamine construction is rigid and durable so it stands up to frequent use, and the smooth finish resists stains, marks, and odors. Two oblong handles cut out of the tray’s ends assist with carrying.

Arthur Court Grape 19-Inch Oblong Tray: A beautiful accent to a formal dining affair, this gorgeous oblong tray is perfectly sized to serve a baguette of sourdough bread, a batch of shortbread cookies, or a colorful antipasto platter of meats and marinated vegetables. The tray’s brilliant luster captures the elegance of antique silver but is actually made of hand-polished aluminum, which is much easier for today’s busy hostesses to maintain. The design features bunches of grapes with leaves and vines in bas-relief winding around the outer edge of the tray. The rectangular tray curves up slightly at the edges to prevent food from sliding off. Handles at either end are helpful for passing hors d’ouvres and four feet keep the platter planted firmly on a buffet table.

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