Artesâ mango wood round serving platter with tortoiseshell resin finish, One Size

This serving platter is made of mango wood with a glossy, maroon tortoiseshell resin surface layer and an iron handle. It is certainly unique, and looks elegant and stylish.However, the finish of the platter is unfortunately very poor. The surface of the tortoiseshell resin is covered in circular scratches, presumably from the manufacturing process. The iron handle on the platter I received was bent and looks rather battered. The most attractive feature of the platter is therefore its base, which looks like a traditional cheeseboard. I wouldn't personally use the platter to serve nibbles and I definitely wouldn't buy it as a gift, given all its flaws. However, I can envisage it to be used to place a teapot and jug on - or, turned over, to serve cheese.

I'd assumed Artesa must be a small scale brand - but it's actually a part of the Kitchen Craft stable. This particular item is made in India and in fact features a sustainable hardwood, mango, which is grown in India and South East Asia.It arrives in a large shallow corrugated cardboard box and inside is wrapped in brown paper with a second layer of corrugated card. I didn't find any scratches to the high shine faux tortoiseshell side of this platter but did spot 3 or 4 blemishes, which of course really stand out on this type of finish.The mango wood side looked good - not sure if this is just a veneer or what. The perimeter appears to be wooden and there's a brass toned metal handle to the top which claims to be iron. Strangely, the cut out section that I presume may have been inside the edge of the board was in the pack.The only explanation I can come up with is that it was thought it would help to keep the metal handle from distorting in transit though it's not exactly the same shape. This wood appears to be a high density form of particleboard - though I'm no timber expert.I actually quite like this serving board. The faux tortoiseshell side has a mid-century glam feel to it. Think early Roxy Music. But I'm not so sure about the board's practicality. If used a cheeseboard, the mango wood side could work - but what happens to the tortoiseshell side if that's face down. You may get away with it if you have a table cloth or a cork mat in place.Really the faux tortoiseshell side can't in my view be used in conjunction with anything like metal serving tools or knives or it will scratch - and scratched, would not look so good. So think finger food, canapes, chocolates, that kind of thing.The lack of practicality is unappealing - and yet I do kind of like this serving board. Being highly motivated, I'll find ways to make it work for me but do be aware you'll need to think a bit in terms of how you use it so it won't suit everyone and the few minor imperfections may not sit well given that not inconsiderable price tag.

This should have made a lovely centrepiece as a charcuterie or cheese board. Unfortunately the tortoise shell surface has scuff marks and scratches. Even the handle isn't smoothly finished. I would have expected a lot better quality considering the price.

I really like this Artesà Round Serving Platter for Nibbles Appetizers for parties. It's beautiful on display, and it's in a large size so it fits a lot to make a nice platter.The mango wood is quality and seems very durable.I recommend it.

The idea of this platter is nice and it looks great in the listing but I think more care needs to go into the manufacturing of it. The handle is bent, the nice shiny surface has scratches over it and the piece of exposed wood doesn't look very good. There are also scuffs around the sides of it. The idea is nice and it could be great but it feels like no love or care went into the making of this. Such a shame.