Can I use these plates for dining?

Many antique plates remain sturdy enough for occasional dining use, provided they feature durable earthenware or hard-paste porcelain bodies. Examine each piece for old hairline cracks or crazing that might absorb liquids before serving food. Delicate soft-paste porcelain and heavily gilded cabinet plates suit display rather than active service. Hand washing is essential for any antique ceramic used at the table.

How do I identify eighteenth-century pieces?

Look for characteristic material traits such as the translucent body of soft-paste porcelain or the heavier weight of early earthenware. Factory marks, painted workman symbols, and characteristic glaze pooling offer vital clues to exact periods. Compare form and decorative style against documented factory patterns. Eighteenth-century items often display handpainted rather than transfer-printed decoration.

What is the difference between earthenware and porcelain?

Earthenware is an opaque, porous ceramic fired at lower temperatures, requiring a complete glaze to become waterproof. It forms the heavy, durable base of traditional dinner services and transfer-printed platters. Porcelain is a dense, vitrified ceramic that rings when struck and frequently appears translucent under strong light. Soft-paste and hard-paste porcelain represent the refined materials chosen for fine dessert and cabinet services.