The Shape of Sharing

Aya Omrani
Sep 27
2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

How Tunisian serving ware is built for gatherings

Tunisian ceramic serving platter with lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, and carrots on table

The table as a small system

A Tunisian table is designed to circulate: bread breaks, olives travel, oil pours, hands reach. Serving pieces are low, wide, and easy to pass. Weight keeps them stable. Rims are there for the hand, not the shelf.

Forms that invite many hands

Wide platters hold the center. Food spreads thin so everyone can reach without standing.
Shallow bowls keep sauces visible. A low wall protects the table, not the eye.
Small condiment plates are for harissa, salt, and preserved lemons; items that move often.
Olive plates with wells keep brine in place but leave the fruit easy to pick.
Bread boards and plates are broad and sturdy. Bread is broken, not sliced, so the surface must grip and hold.

In this logic, “beautiful” means “built to serve.” Beauty follows use.

Weight, warmth, and waste

Heavier platters hold heat longer and steady the table. Portions feel right sized when spread on a wide dish; you see what’s left and serve only what’s needed. That reduces waste without trying.

Motifs that map a place

Lines echo weaving. Points recall tattoo marks. Earth tones come from real clay, not paint. The object carries its origin quietly; not as a logo, but as a pattern you can live with every day.

Materials that work

Clay for bowls and plates that keep temperature and stay grounded on the table.
Olive wood for boards and small plates — tough, close-grained, naturally expressive.
Glass for tea and for brightness on the table; light where other pieces are heavy.

Browse the collection: Plates & Serving

How to set a sharing table (quick guide)

Everyday (2–3 people)

1 wide platter, 2 shallow bowls, 2–3 condiment plates, 1 bread plate.

Weekend (4–6 people)

2 wide platters, 3–4 shallow bowls, 4–6 condiment plates, 1 bread board, 1 olive plate with well.

Celebration (6–10 people)

3 wide platters, 5–6 shallow bowls, a run of condiment plates down the table, 1 large bread board, 1 oil pourer with a saucer.

Pair with what Tunisia is known for: Olive Oils | Raw Honey

Care, simply

Hand-wash when you can. Dry well. For ceramics and wood, avoid sudden temperature shocks. If a piece is oven- or dishwasher-safe, we’ll say it clearly on its page. The goal: help it last.

What sharing means here

Sharing is not performance. It’s how a home works. A plate is not a prop. It is an object that makes passing easier, keeps heat where it should be, and takes care of the people at the table.