Mini Porcelain Plate Ornaments Illustrate Funny Fantasy Disaster Scenes

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

At first glance, these porcelain plates look just like your grandmother’s tableware. But a closer look reveals a playful twist on the popular 18th century, blue and white Willow pattern. Designed by Don Moyer, the series Calamityware incorporates unexpected characters—such as voracious sea monsters, flying monkeys, and mysterious UFOs—illustrated among traditional ceramic motifs.

From traditional plates and platters to mugs and bowls, Moyer has it covered when it comes to unique dinnerware. But now that the festive season is upon us, he’s recently expanded the collection with the addition of mini porcelain plates to use as Christmas tree decorations. Available in sets of 4, each series illustrates surreal, sci-fi tales that are sure to get the conversation flowing at your next holiday party. One humorous design features an attack of zombie poodles, while another shows a giant robot threatening the tranquility of a traditional Chinese landscape.

Moyer’s Calamityware series began in 2011 when he inherited a traditional, Willow-patterned plate and decided to sketch it in his notebook. “I couldn’t resist the temptation to add a pterodactyl in the sky,” he recalls. “When people saw the drawing on Flickr, several urged me to figure out a way to reproduce the image on a physical plate.” Moyer then launched his first Kickstarter project where he was able to successfully turn his idea into reality. He says, “Blue-willow patterns have been going strong for 300 years. It’s great fun to take that heritage in a new direction.”

You can see more and buy from the Calamityware collection on Moyer’s website.

Artist Don Moyer’s Calamityware ceramic series incorporates unexpected characters into traditional patterned porcelain plate designs.

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

He’s recently expanded the collection with the addition of mini porcelain plates to use as Christmas tree decorations.

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Each set illustrates surreal, sci-fi tales that are sure to get the conversation flowing at your next holiday party.

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Porcelain Plates Calamityware by Don Moyer

Don Moyer: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
via [Laughing Squid]

All images via Don Moyer.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer and Video Editor at My Modern Met. She earned a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lived in Berlin for many years, where she fostered a career in the arts, dabbling in everything from illustration and animation to music and ceramics. She now calls Edinburgh home, where she continues to work as a writer, illustrator, and ceramicist. Her ceramics, often combined with hand-painted animation frames, capture playful scenes that celebrate freedom and movement, and blend her passion for art with storytelling. Her illustrations have been featured in The Berliner Magazine as well as other print magazines and a poetry book.
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