Mud Pebble Bowl in Medium

In 1994, Shelley Simpson founded Mud Australia with the belief that you can design beautiful porcelain tableware for everyday use. She tested each shape with friends in the restaurant industry to ensure that the thicknesses and curves were as satisfying to dine from as they were to look at. Based in Sydney, Simpson and her team make every item entirely by hand, and each piece in the Mud Collection (1998) is unique. "I love the smoothness and fineness of porcelain," says Simpson. A Melbourne native who grew up in bright, colorful spaces, she insists on tinting the porcelain clay throughout. The result is incredibly rich color depth that cannot be achieved with surface glazing. Clear glaze is applied to the interior of each piece; the matte exterior has a vitrified stone-like surface that becomes smooth with handling. As with any handmade product, Mud should be treated with care during use. Irregularities in size and texture are to be expected. The Mud Collection is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe, but "Be aware of thermal shock," says Simpson. "Don't move it straight from the fridge to the oven." Made in Australia.