Bamboo-slat table runners and place mats are also good. The confidence to mix and match, coordinating each new course with a different style of ceramic, is part of the art of the Asian table. The relationship between food and the way it is displayed is paramount, with each dish constructed like a painting. In Thailand, the pale watery shade of green celadon is used to set off the colorful, spicy foods. Custom-made pottery is held in great esteem and is one of the Orient's highest art forms.
Glazes are often earthy and the shapes amorphic.
The beauty of such pieces is in their simplicity and organic nature. It is this idea of perfection and beauty in simple things and mundane tasks associated with Asian culture that we are drawn to today. What was once a trend is becoming a lifestyle. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 22, 2001. Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.