A few days ago, Sarah, a lovely BNOTP reader, left a comment on a previous spring shopping post where I had shared some bunny plates I came across in Pottery Barn. She had a question about the plates due to something really odd she was seeing on Peter Rabbit bunny plates she had purchased both last year and this year.
Sarah said, “Do you find the Pottery Barn Peter Rabbit stoneware to have bumps on them? Versus a smooth service? Mine are bumpy and can’t tell if that’s just part of the stoneware or not.”
At first, I thought she was talking about these bunny plates below that I purchased a few years back.
I checked mine and they were very smooth, not as smooth as say, fine china, but overall, nice and smooth.
As we chatted further in the comments, I came to realize Sarah was referring to the bunny plates I had come across in this pattern while out shopping last year toward the end of February. As I looked closely at this picture of a large platter I had taken during that shopping trip, I did indeed see some bumps. As I stared at it, I suddenly realized I could see the raised silhouette of a bunny! Do you see him there in the center of the plate? I don’t think I noticed the raised image during that shopping expedition because I never mentioned it in this post where I shared the platter: Shopping the Spring East Dinnerware in Two of My Favorite Stores.
If you’re having trouble seeing it, here’s a crude picture I shared with Sarah after I emailed the photo to myself, opened the email on my phone, saved it to my phone, then using the stylus attempted to outline what I was seeing on the platter. Actually, now I can see his other leg that I didn’t trace in and what appears to be a smaller bunny looking up at him.
I asked Sarah if maybe the bumps she was seeing on her plates were the silhouette of a bunny. She emailed over this photo of a dinner plate in the pattern. Ummm, I not seeing a bunny in those bumps. They remind me of the moguls I used to see while skiing on the slopes in Breckenridge, Colorado!
When Sarah ordered her plates last year, they arrived looking like this back then, too. She reordered again this year and once again, they arrived this way. Sarah reached out to Customer Service but they weren’t able to help since they had no additional information on the plates. They offered to send her replacement plates.
What do you think? It doesn’t seem like it’s a defect because they’ve been made this way two years in a row, and I don’t see how something this prominent could be overlooked during production. Do you think those are supposed to be Easter eggs all over the plate? What do you see? Have you ever ordered these plates and did they arrive with egg-shaped bumps all over the surface? Would love to hear your thoughts on these mysterious bumps.
For a bit of spring and Easter tablescaping inspiration, check out these spring tables here: Spring and Easter Table Settings. You’ll find this year’s offering in this pattern here: Spring and Easter Table Settings.
Update: Just realized I do have the napkins from this pattern, now I want some of the salad plates! (See more of this table setting below here: Spring Table Setting.)
I COULD CLEARLY SEE THE BUNNY IN YOUR PLATE BUT NOT IN HERS. I HAVE NO ANSWER TO WHY HERS ARE BUMPY BUT PERSONALLY I WOULD SEND THEM BACK! LOL
I TYPE IN CAPS BECAUSE OF ARTHRITIS NOT YELLING. LOL
Fascinating! I’d almost ask them to send replacements just to find out if they arrive with bumps too, and if so, whether the bumps would look like a bunny, some eggs, or maybe birds or flowers, even! If you ever find out, I’d love to hear. Thanks to you and Sarah for the little mystery this morning!
In both links you sent, from last year and this, Susan, in the photo with the 2-tier rack with trays, the salad plate on the lower right has an uneven surface. I can’t see a distinct pattern, maybe you have to tilt it a certain way? But it would be fun to find out if the manufacturer did place an impression of something “Easter-y” in them. I could definitely see the Bunny on yours.
I noticed that the serving platter, which is bigger than the dining plates, has a slightly different design all around the border. It actually has at least 4 different bunnies in it and I love it. I wish the dinner plates were printed with that design. Anyway, I am thinking that the serving platter comes with the embossed bunny design in the middle and all the dinner plates have that different “bumpy” design, like the little snow hills that you mentioned. I don’t think they are in error, I think they are made that way on purpose.
I do, too! I love that design! I think you’re right, Rachel…doesn’t look like a mistake to me, either.
I wonder if she tried to do a rubbing with a crayon could she see eggs? It might be worth a try before she sends them back.
I wouldn’t send them back; I think the bumps are meant to be there, even if they don’t make a pattern. It’s just a different look from a plate with a smooth surface, and it makes the plate look more rustic. I love them just the way they are, and I don’t believe anyone eating from them will even notice.
I don’t think they would notice either…I kinda like ’em, the more I look at them. lol
The bumps look like bunny tails!
That’s what I thought too! Little ‘cottonballs’!
I think since the platter has an intentional bunny shape, that the egg shaped bumps on the plates are also intentional.
Love the bunny plates. I’m wondering if you could float a bit of colored water to see the raised areas a little better?
Love the bunny plates. I’m wondering if you could float a bit of colored water on the plates to see the raised areas a little better.
Looks like basket weave from an Easter basket!
I think I would keep them if there was an outline of a bunny – like yours. But send them back…these bumps look like maybe it was not fired correctly ???
I think that the raised pattern is supposed to be there to represent Easter eggs! The pattern is too organized to be an imperfection in the making of it. Does anyone else agree?
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I think that the raised pattern is supposed to be there to represent Easter eggs! The pattern is too organized to be an imperfection in the making of it. Does anyone else agree?
I agree, it just seems too regular.
Hi everyone and Susan, it’s Sarah! So I went on Facebook and found a Pottery Barn group and people that have the same plates said theirs also has the bumps. The feedback was that this edition of the Peter Rabbit plates (made by F.W. Co pottery) have their own distinct marks depending on the year. They said this edition of plates have the bumps for a farmhouse rustic style. Thank you Susan for posting this for me to also get answers! I should mention that I have been a fan of Susan’s blog for many years and I’m so flattered to be an entry!
Also, I think it’s important to note that when I called Pottery Barn to ask about the bumps on the plates and would talk to someone at the call center, it was obvious they did not know much about the product other than what was in the online description. I personally found crowdsourcing through Susan or Facebook to be the best way to get an answer. Thank you again everyone for your input!
So, did they say that every years production of this line does not have the bumps- only certain years? I purchased them myself this year, and I absolutely love the pattern… but definitely not the bumps. The bumps are really off-putting to me and sadly make them look badly manufactured in my opinion.
Hi Susan, Several years ago I purchased the Pasture Bunny salad/appetizer plates from PB – they’re the ones that look like pretty realistic baby bunnies and show one adorable rabbit per plate on a white background – not sure if you have them, too. I noticed from the moment I took them out of the box the undecorated white part of the plate had an inconsistent look and texture that almost looked like a factory second – not sure if this occurs naturally during the ceramic glazing process or if was second-rate craftsmanship from the item’s vendor, but I do love the plates and always handwash them so as note to further disturb the glaze, etc. which I’m sure you do too.
I think I may know which ones you’re talking about. Aren’t the bunnies a brown color on those plates? If it’s the ones I’m thinking about, I also have those and I always thought that they were going for an antique look because the glazing kinda has a crazed look like some antique china does.
Jill, are these the plates you have? https://betweennapsontheporch.net/shopping-haul-for-spring-and-summer-entertaining/ They def went for antique crazed look on those. It’s very different but I love it. 🙂
Those are the plates! I love them so much. I use them at table settings with my rattan chargers with light sage green napkins, or pink gingham placemats, even mini preserved boxwood wreaths with a faux egg in the middle, and hang two of them on the little wall plate hanger in my kitchen every Spring.
Hi, Susan, Enjoyed your blog for years. Email Replacements. They are soooo knowleable about all things China. They have all kinds of resources & extremely helpful. Hope you can unravel your unsolved mystery!
JoAnn
Hi Susan,
I see Easter Eggs on the bumpy plate. Interesting.