How do I display an antique dish safely?

Large chargers and platters often feature original foot rings with hanging holes, or you can use specialised brass spring hangers that distribute weight evenly across the rim. Ensure any wall fixings are secure in solid masonry or stud work. Keep display pieces away from direct sunlight and areas of high humidity to protect the ancient earthenware body and tin glaze from gradual degradation.

Can I use these dishes for serving food?

While many eighteenth and nineteenth-century pieces were made for dining, porous earthenware and fragile tin glazes require extreme care. Modern detergents and dishwashers can permanently craze or etch the historical surface. Hand washing in lukewarm water with mild soap is essential if you choose to use them for dining, though many collectors prefer to keep them for display only.

How do I tell tin glaze from porcelain?

Tin-glazed earthenware has a heavier, opaque white ceramic body where the white glaze hides the darker clay underneath. If chipped, you will see a buff or pinkish earthenware body beneath the white surface. Porcelain is vitrified, harder, and often translucent when held to the light, with a body that appears white right through any small fracture or base rim.