I get asked a lot: Why is it called “The Book of Plates?” Couldn’t you have called it “Roubo’s Drawings” or something. What does the book have to do with dinnerware?
The drawings in “l’Art du menuisier” were produced by a copperplate engraving process, which is an intaglio method of making prints. The results of the intaglio process are called “plates” – that’s the word that Roubo uses in his books and is still used today when precision is appreciated.
I guarantee you will learn more about copperplate engraving and etching in the coming months; we are using the technique to illustrate “Furniture of Necessity” in an effort to make the project more awesome (and difficult to produce).
So until then, enjoy this plate made from images from “The Book of Plates” by Suzanne Ellison, our indexer and resident artist.
If this dinnerware existed, I’d buy six place settings.
— Christopher Schwarz
I’ve heard of drawing in old texts referred to as engravings. Is this the same thing as plates?
My wife is a printmaking artist. “Printmaking” encompasses a wide variety of media, including copperplate engraving (for clarity, we have no relation to Lost Art Press).
Her answer to your question is that “A plate is the substrate or matrix upon which the engraving is done. Engraving is the process by which the image is put onto the plate.”
We hope this helps!
Thanks for the explanation!
When is Suzanne’s book coming out.
Will my book of plates dinnerware come in a custom made box?
#toosoon
It will. If you have the correct coupon code: PLATETHIS
I almost ordered a BOP plate from shutterfly (and may still), but I’m not sure how my wife will react.
Asked a lot?
That is disheartening.
I’d need an 8 place setting. When will LAP be shipping those, Chris?
Lynn Bradford