How were chargers displayed?

These large dishes were traditionally hung on walls or stood upright on dresser shelves to showcase their painted cobalt decoration. Their substantial diameter made them prominent decorative focal points in period interiors.

What is a barber's bowl?

A specialised shallow vessel featuring a semicircular cutout on the rim that rested against a customer's neck during shaving or bleeding. These pieces share the same tin-glazed earthenware body and blue and white palette as standard chargers.

How do I distinguish English and Dutch pieces?

English delftware often exhibits softer pinkish or buff earthenware bodies beneath the tin glaze, whereas Dutch pieces tend towards a harder, lighter fabric. Brushwork styles and palette nuances also help separate Bristol or Lambeth production from workshops in Rotterdam or Delft.

Can these plates be hung on walls safely?

Specialist spring-loaded plate hangers designed for heavy earthenware can support the weight of these chargers securely. Care must be taken to select hangers with protective tips to prevent chipping the tin glaze along the rim.