How were chargers used?

These large dishes served primarily as decorative objects for display on sideboards, tables, or walls within domestic interiors. Their broad surfaces allowed households to exhibit painted scenes and patterns without risking everyday wear on the dining table. Over time, collectors moved them from dining halls into cabinets and wall displays, preserving their painted surfaces. They functioned both as status symbols and as vibrant splashes of colour in traditional rooms.

How do I clean an old charger?

Dusting gently with a dry, soft cloth is normally sufficient for maintaining the surface of tin-glazed earthenware. Moisture can seep into old body earthenware through microscopic craquelure, so washing should be avoided unless strictly necessary. Harsh cleaning agents or abrasive materials will damage the historic glaze and pigment layers permanently. Professional conservation advice should be sought if deeper cleaning becomes unavoidable.

How can I tell Dutch from French pieces?

Dutch Delftware frequently relies on strong cobalt blue painting, geometric borders, and traditional floral or maritime motifs. French faience often incorporates warmer palettes including manganese purple and yellow, alongside distinct regional touches like Chinoiserie. Comparing the glaze tone and secondary pigment choices helps separate Dutch workshops from French or Spanish production centres. Brushwork styles also offer clues to the specific geographic origin of the pottery.

Can I hang my charger on the wall?

Hanging these pieces requires specialised, non-abrasive wire hangers designed specifically for heavy antique plates without exerting pressure on the rim. The wall support must be secure because large earthenware chargers carry substantial weight. Displaying them safely away from heavy traffic areas prevents accidental knocks that could chip the historic tin glaze. Proper hanging hardware distributes the weight evenly across the base and rim.

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18th Century Faience Charger

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An 18th century faience charger brings bold tin-glazed earthenware into a room, offering large-scale painted decoration from Dutch, French, Spanish, and English workshops.