How do I hang a heavy charger?

Heavy ceramic chargers require specialised wall brackets or spring-loaded wire hangers that distribute weight evenly across the base and rim. Avoid adhesive discs for older earthenware. Ensure the mounting hardware fastens securely into wall studs to prevent accidental slips in busy rooms.

Are these pieces safe for food?

Older tin-glazed earthenware and antique porcelain are best reserved for display rather than daily dining. Historic glazes can be porous or sensitive to modern detergents. Hand washing in lukewarm water preserves the cobalt pigment and prevents crazing in the ceramic body.

How do I date a Delft plate?

Dating relies on body thickness, tin glaze opacity, and rim characteristics. Seventeenth-century examples often display thicker earthenware bodies and subtle irregularities. Examining the foot ring and pigment tone helps differentiate between eighteenth-century Dutch production and later revivals.

What is the difference between porcelain and earthenware?

Porcelain uses refined kaolin clay fired at extremely high temperatures until vitrified, producing a hard, non-porous white body. Earthenware utilises coarser clay fired at lower temperatures. Tin-glazed earthenware requires an opaque white lead or tin glaze to cover the darker clay body beneath.