What is a blue faience charger?

A blue faience charger is a large tin-glazed earthenware plate decorated with cobalt pigment, designed primarily for wall display or sideboard presentation. These substantial dishes span several centuries of European ceramic tradition. Examples range from early Dutch delftware to later Moorish style revival pieces, each offering a broad circular canvas filled with blue painted motifs.

How were these chargers displayed?

Historical chargers were frequently hung on walls or set upon dressers to showcase their decorative patterns and rich blue glazes. Their generous scale made them prominent visual elements in period interiors. Today, collectors continue to mount these large decorative plates on walls using appropriate plate hangers or display them upright on sturdy plate stands.

How do you identify seventeenth-century pieces?

Seventeenth-century chargers often display distinct delftware characteristics, including early tin-glazed earthenware bodies and specific painting styles influenced by imported Kraak porcelain. Examining the glaze thickness and pigment behaviour helps indicate the period. Comparing structural forms and decorative motifs with documented examples assists in distinguishing seventeenth-century production from eighteenth-century or later revival pieces.

Are these chargers suitable for food?

Tin-glazed earthenware chargers from earlier periods are intended for decorative display rather than modern culinary use. The historic ceramic bodies and glazes require careful handling to preserve their surfaces. Living with these pieces involves placing them securely away from high-traffic areas where accidental impacts might damage the earthenware.