What Makes Alice Educardo's Dinnerware Collection Every Aficionado's Dream?

Curated through the years, her tableware collection is nothing short of impressive

Philanthropist and construction magnate Alice Eduardo has always been fascinated with beautiful tablescapes. Growing up in the province, she would always gaze at her grandmother’s platera (display cabinet) and view the exquisitely embossed plates and servers her lola had collected over the years. Her mother, Elisa, was also a collector. “My lola and my mum loved floral plates,” Alice says, recalling how her attraction to tableware started. From then, she knew she would be a collector too someday.

On her first trip to Europe after her graduation in the Eighties, she made a side trip to some porcelain stores in Paris. In the beginning, she would only come home with a dozen sets or two, but as the years went by and she travelled more, she ended up purchasing more as well. “When I visit palaces like Buckingham in London and see their plates, vases and antiques, I fall in love [with them]. When I go to Gearys and see a nice table setting, I can’t leave without getting them for myself,” Alice muses. So, in every trip, she allots a shopping day exclusively for porcelain, crystalware and silverware. “A tip I can give to those who would like to start curating dinnerware is to make sure to give time for this when travelling. Include it in your itinerary. Check out auctions, too. Do not buy on impulse,” the collector says, emphasising the importance of research.

Above A tropicalinspired tablescape on a Giorgetti dining table complements the lush foliage in the background. Photo: Scott A Woodward

Above The collector’s favourites in one vignette: Flora Danica porcelain set, Puiforcat Royal silverware and hand painted Saint Louis stemware. Photo: Scott A Woodward

Besides aesthetics, what drew her even more into collecting were the stories behind the pieces she handpicked. Her favourite is the Danish Flora Danica porcelain set, which has a rich history that dates to the 1700s. The first set of Flora Danica was commissioned by the Danish King, initially as part of a magnificent dinner service that would be a reconciliation gift to the Russian Empress, Catherine the Great. The Danish King wanted the dinner service to showcase the artistic and technical skills of his people, so he appointed Johann Christoph Bayer, who worked on the dinner service for 12 years from the Royal Danish Porcelain Manufactory in Købmagergade. It is reported that no less than 1802 pieces of Flora Danica porcelain were produced during those years. Today, the original Flora Danica remains one of the most significant Danish cultural treasures and one of the most coveted luxurious porcelain dinnerware in the world.

Above A bespoke display cabinet houses Eduardo’s precious tableware collection. Photo: Scott A Woodward

Since Alice is particularly attracted to floral designs, she was instantly captured by the hand painted flower motifs of the Danish porcelain brand, gradually completing a massive collection through the years. “I started with only two dozens of the Flora Danica and from there my collection grew. I bought a lot thinking I’d need it for when I have guests. I want my tablescape to be coherent, so I got the matching plates, servers, etc,” she shares. This collection along with others from many prestigious brands around the globe are now housed in bespoke cabinets specifically created for dinnerware. To complement her precious Flora Danica ensemble is Alice’s other favourite: the Puiforcat Royal sterling silverware set. Also from Paris, this intricate cutlery was meticulously designed by silversmith Nicolas Cornu in the 18th century. “Only one person is assigned to do the inventory, clean and put them back in their respective storage,” Alice says when asked how she keeps them in good condition despite regular use.

Above Alice Eduardo. Photo: Scott A Woodward

As a businesswoman, one would easily think that Alice collects for investment or revenue. However, she reiterates, “I started collecting when I was in my 20s not realising that their value would appreciate this much,” she explains, citing that some of her pieces are now valued at stellar prices. “I buy things that connect with me. I do not buy just to collect. For me, if you buy quality things regardless of the price, for as long as they last longer and you love them so much, then it’s not expensive. If you buy something even at a cheap price and it breaks easily, I call that expensive,” she continues. Much like the cost-per-wear principle in buying clothes, Alice is after quality, craftsmanship, durability and the story behind each piece. She shares, “I have purchased Flora Danica pieces on different occasions through the years and when you look at them now, the colours are equally the same. There’s no discolouration even if they were not purchased at the same time and even if they are washed just the usual way. Additionally, even with frequent use, they don’t get scratched easily. That’s the beauty when you buy things of good quality.” This also proves that her collections are not merely for display but are actually used whenever she entertains at home, which happens frequently.

Above Flanked by Eduardo’s prized Flora Danica porcelain collection is her favourite art piece by Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Photo: Scott A Woodward

“Collecting these pieces and coming up with beautiful tablescapes make me happy. But more than that, it also brings joy to my guests for they feel special whenever I use these pieces at dinners and lunches at home,” the gracious host concludes.

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What Makes Alice Eduardo's Dinnerware Collection Every Aficionado's Dream?