LACE SOAP DISH

Real lace was pressed into soft clay, leaving behind a delicate pattern that spreads out from the centre like a rosette in bloom. A warm caramel glaze gives this ceramic soap dish an old-world, almost grandmotherly charm.

Beneath the decoration lies a practical soul: a small heart-shaped hole in the centre drains the water away, so the soap dries quickly and does not go soggy, and the ceramic will stand up to years of everyday use. A piece to delight lovers of vintage details — and at the same time it does exactly what a draining soap dish should do.

Just keep it out of the direct stream of water and tip it out and wipe it every now and then. It measures 10.5 × 7.5 cm — just right for one bar of soap. Because the pattern is pressed in by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike — lace never leaves the same impression twice.

Handmade soap dries nicely on it and wears down more slowly, so the two make a sensible pair economically, too — a soap that does not sit in water only gets used up when you are actually washing. The floral Rose Avenue goes well with the caramel tones, as does any other handmade soap.