I am very lucky to have a mummy who is an expert present buyer, with an eye for the most delectable gifts. One of my favourite birthday presents this year was a set of quirky Nature plates from Anthropologie, designed by Lou Rota.

Artist Lou Rota is renowned for producing ‘some of the most intriguing eco-chic artworks around today,’ and her one-of-a-kind recycled furniture art and decorative vintage plates quickly attained cult status. UK purveyor Liberty snapped up early works and Rota’s signature bird, bug and floral designs garnered huge press, prompting Selfridges, Caravan and Lane Crawford (Hong Kong) to join the retail queue.

To meet demand, Rota created a modern classic of English fine bone china with a chic twist. Anthropologie commissioned her to collaborate on a series of ‘Nature Table’ product lines which quickly became bestsellers in the UK, Canada, USA and beyond. She says of her work: ‘My designs are influenced by my passion for the natural world – especially insects – and I love playing with unusual combinations of flora and fauna.’

These unique dessert plates are timeless and beautiful, each depicting a different creature, from big (giraffe) to small (bumblebee)! Made from new bone china they should only be hand-washed, but though they appear delicate and vintage they are in fact strong and long-lasting. They are 20cm diameter in size and I think work best as serving plates to display biscuits or cake.

The plates are sold individually for £16 each, in store and online here.