JAMES HIPKISS makes a case for square crockery — for being stylishly in fashion, if not for functionality.

Deep dishes can be square too.

Square saucers but cups really have to be round.

Not a round dish in sight.

WHAT shape is a plate, saucer or bowl, or crockery in general?

It’s round, always has been, mainly because plates, bowls, etc, were traditionally made or “thrown” on a potter’s wheel.

Recently though, there have been changes in the crockery, porcelain and china world.

It all started in upmarket and style-conscious restaurants. Square plates began to appear, and dishes, bowls, saucers and so forth too.
Thinking about it rationally, perhaps square is the logical shape for a plate. After all, most tables are square, and placemats are more often than not square.

Granted, one could argue that deep bowls are better off round, as getting that last drop of soup out of the corner of a square bowl does present difficulties, but does the very last drop matter when we are talking contemporary style here?

And now square crockery is becoming available in shops too, so we can put it out on our tables for our next stylish dinner party.

Carefully chosen, laid out and accessorised, I think it can create a stunning effect: graphically strong, modern, functional, and yes, minimalist.

So, what is available locally and how do we go about choosing them?

With square plates, surely one should stick to plain white, I think, keeping that cool functional look, rather than opting for patterned or coloured designs.

The only slightly patterned design I have seen which works, due to its subtlety, is some rather expensive Villeroy and Boch porcelain with a slim, gold-lined motif.

Some manufacturers have gone uncompromisingly for absolutely square designs, with 90 degree angles and completely straight edges to their china.

Others have given their plates and dishes slightly curved edges, so veering back towards a round plate with four points on it.

If one is going square though, I think one should choose the former, and go square all the way, no compromise.

When choosing a set of square china, consider too if you want to have a matching set of serving dishes and platters, as not all manufacturers have a full range of these extras, and for the ultimate visual effect on your dinner table they should be there.

As mentioned, deep soup or dessert bowls in a square shape may be aesthetic, but are not a complete success from a functional point of view.

One can either live with this less than 100 per cent functionality, or opt to put round bowls onto square plates, which does not look too bad.

At the end of the meal, coffee can be served in conventional round cups, but again on square saucers.

Square china is definitely the style of the moment — it looks fresh and contemporary, and it’s functional.

Even when stacked away in your cupboard, it is more space-efficient than round china, with the only care you have to take is not knocking the corners off of it!

Where to get this new look for your table?

If you want the best, Villeroy and Boch is available at Parkson branches and other stockists.

More affordable are ranges from Signatura, Luminarc and Alfresco. Look for them in Metrojaya, Parkson, Robinsons and other major stores.

Ikea in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, has its own range of square china at keen prices, and One Houseware and Gift in Lorong Haji Hussein, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, has a wide range of hotel-quality china at wholesale prices.