What is a delft charger?

A delft charger is a large decorative earthenware plate finished with an opaque tin glaze and hand-painted ornament. These items were produced primarily in England, France, and the Netherlands during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Craftsmen created them for visual impact rather than heavy dining use, often displaying them on oak dressers or hanging them on walls. Their broad surfaces allowed painters to execute detailed floral, geometric, and Chinoiserie designs.

How do I hang a delft dish?

Hanging an antique dish requires specialised wire spring hangers that grip the rim without applying excessive pressure to the earthenware body. Alternatively, many collectors place them upright in wooden plate racks made of oak or pine. Ensure that any wall mounting is secured to a solid stud or uses appropriate wall anchors to support the weight of the ceramic. Avoid adhesives or clamps that could chip the soft tin glaze along the outer edge.

How do I date an antique delft dish?

Dating tin-glazed earthenware involves examining the thickness of the body, the tone of the tin glaze, and the style of the painted decoration. Seventeenth-century pieces often exhibit heavier construction and distinct cobalt hues, while eighteenth-century examples lean toward refined polychrome or Chinoiserie palettes. Foot rims and glaze characteristics on the reverse also offer clues, as kiln support marks and manufacturing techniques evolved over the centuries. Comparing the motif to documented regional patterns helps narrow the period of origin.

Are delft dishes made of porcelain?

Delft dishes are not porcelain, but rather refined earthenware covered in a white tin glaze. Porcelain uses hard-paste or soft-paste clay fired at high temperatures until vitrified, whereas delftware remains a porous ceramic. The opaque tin glaze hides the buff or pinkish clay body underneath, giving the visual impression of Chinese porcelain which European potteries sought to replicate.