Abstract: A plate block includes a decorative plate which includes a substratum and a face veneer joined to the substratum by adhesive means. The substratum has a front face and a rear face with inclined edge portions disposed between the front face and the rear face such that the rear face is larger than the front face. The face veneer is joined to the front face and to the edge portions. A base plate is disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to the decorative plate, and an intermediate member is disposed between the base plate and the decorative plate with the base plate having at least one edge portion projecting beyond an edge of the decorative plate to facilitate assembly of a plurality of plate blocks in juxtaposed array.