A plate is a type of dishware, being a broad, concave but mainly flat vessel on which food is served. Plates are commonly made from porcelain or plastic. Some porcelain plates are decorative in nature and are meant to be displayed rather than eaten from. Plates for serving food come in a variety of sizes, from small saucers, to bread and butter plates, to dinner plates, to large platters from which food for several people may be distributed at table.