I’ve always been kind of fascinated with the absurdity of certain “collectibles.” Things like collector plates and spoons and shot glasses, Hummel figurines, commemorative coins, Christopher Radko ornaments, and all that bizarre crap from the Franklin Mint.

Partly in reaction to the peculiar notion of creating objects specifically to be collected, and partly a result of my ongoing interest in examining how we assign value to things, I’ve created my very own collector plate.

It is a bluntly satirical art object that derives its value by simply declaring what it is. The eight-inch white ceramic plate is edged in metallic gold foil. The word “Collector” is imprinted — also in gold foil — in ornate custom lettering on the center of the ornamental dish.

Lettering by Danielle Davis.