One of my favorite set pieces in Twin Peaks’ first season is the ceramic dachshund serving platter displayed above the stove at the Johnson house.
IDENTIFYING THE JOHNSON’S HOT DOG SERVING PLATTER
The platter, featuring several anthropomorphic hotdogs and a long dachshund down the center, was produced in 1958 by California-based Lane & Company.
Established in Los Angeles by founder Jack S. Lane around 1950, the company was known for their ceramic kitchenware, ashtrays, TV lamps and more, all stylized with vibrant airbrushed designs.
Lane & Co. moved production to Van Nuys in the late 1950s and briefly adopted the name Sunkist Designs in the early 1960s. The company was sold in 1963 and the name changed back to Lane Ceramics for its final years.
APPEARANCES OF THE SERVING PLATTER IN TWIN PEAKS
In Twin Peaks, we first see the dachshund tray in episode 1001 as Leo rounds the kitchen table to confront Shelly.
We get another brief glimpse in episode 1003 as Shelly stashes her gun.
The final and clearest shot of the tray comes in episode 1005 as Shelly serves breakfast from the stove.
Several episodes pass before we visit the Johnson kitchen again, but when we return in 2006, the space above the stove is bare.
Considering the Johnson home’s noticeable dog motif, I wonder why this set piece didn’t return in the second season.
