Antique Austrian Gilt Lobster Platter c. 1900

Exceptional antique porcelain lobster platter produced in Austria at the turn of the 20th century, attributed to the Vigy DnA factory. This striking example features a high-relief molded lobster entirely finished in rich gold luster, set against a white porcelain ground with hand-applied gilt floral and foliate decoration.
The platter is formed in a shell-shaped, scalloped design with pierced notches, a functional and decorative feature traditionally associated with lobster and fish service. The surface decoration shows fine hand-drawn gilt detailing and multiple gold firings, resulting in depth, warmth, and brilliance rarely preserved on surviving examples.
This is a luxury variant of the classic lobster platter, produced for elite households, grand hotels, and formal dining rooms, where cost and labor were secondary to visual impact and prestige. The restrained white-and-gold palette gives the piece a sophisticated architectural presence suitable for both traditional and contemporary interiors.
What It Was Used For (Historical Use)
Originally designed as a lobster or seafood serving platter, this form was used to present whole cooked lobsters or shellfish at the table during formal meals.
The raised lobster relief cradled the shellfish for presentation
The pierced notches allowed for drainage of liquids or placement of serving utensils
Often paired with a smaller companion dish for butter or sauces
Such platters were centerpiece objects, intended to be seen and admired as much as used, reinforcing status and refinement during late-19th- and early-20th-century dining rituals.
How It Can Be Used Today
Today, this platter is best suited for decorative or display use, though it can be used selectively with care.
Recommended modern uses include:
Decorative centerpiece or console display
Wall display in a dining room or kitchen
Serving platter for dry or wrapped foods (bread, fruit, pastries)
Conversation piece for entertaining or styled tablescapes
Due to its age and gold luster glaze, frequent food use or acidic foods are not recommended. Display use is preferred to preserve the gilding and surface finish.
Condition
Very good antique condition overall.
No cracks, breaks, or restorations observed
Expected age-related wear to gilding, most visible on high points
Light surface wear and firing imperfections consistent with period production
Underside shows typical kiln grit and factory markings
All condition characteristics are consistent with authentic late-19th/early-20th-century porcelain and do not detract from display quality.
 
History
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, elaborate seafood service pieces became fashionable across Europe and in transatlantic dining culture. Austrian porcelain factories produced figural lobster platters as symbols of hospitality, prosperity, and culinary sophistication. While many lobster platters were decorated in polychrome enamels, fully gilt examples were produced in far smaller numbers due to the high cost of gold and the technical complexity of luster firing. These pieces were reserved for luxury settings and remain significantly rarer today.