I will be rather direct in my first statement: this item is made of plastic. I found this item through a search for 'pfaltzgraff', for which the hallmark products are their fired stoneware or ceramic products, generally reputed for their high quality and detail. I was not aware of alternate product lines... Regardless, the item description does not, at any point, make any mention of this fact.

I have post-fact found other similar 'melanine' plastic products, for which the composition is specifically noted in their item names. Not so in this case, so buyer beware - this item is not necessarily the pfaltzgraff bargain of the century, as I had initially suspected. I purchased this item for my grandmother who generally happens to fancy pfaltzgraff anything. When it arrived on Dec 24th, I was so embarassed with this mistake that I refused to gift it to her, and it is currently being used as an ash tray in my mother's basement (for which it is, actually, rather perfectly suited).

Specifically regarding the product - the lighting in the photo gives it a greater sense of dimension than is inherently present in this item, which is rather monochromatic. The picture elements are 'cute', but also appear to be cheaply printed.

In short, fine for functional or practical purposes - and for these being plastic may be a virtue. This item would serve the purpose as an inexpensive gift or component of a larger gift (which I would recommend), but simply be aware that as the item is plastic, the perception of value will be lesser than one may anticipate for a more typical pfaltzgraff item.

I was actually looking for a stoneware spoonrest, but liked the pattern and price of this one and decided to go for it!! I'm glad I did, though. Bought several and gave as gifts...and they were well received. One person said that they preferred the melamine since they had a tendency to break the ceramic/stoneware ones!!