How were botanical plates used historically?

These ceramic pieces functioned primarily during dessert courses in wealthy households. Servants brought out specialised dessert services containing painted plates, serving dishes, and bowls to present fruit and sweetmeats after the main meal. Many examples also served as cabinet pieces. Owners mounted them on walls or displayed them in glazed furniture to showcase botanical knowledge and artistic taste to guests.

Can I use these antique plates for dining?

Using these antique items for everyday dining is generally discouraged due to their age and delicate construction. Handpainted enamels and gold leaf gilding can wear down with modern detergents and cutlery use. Instead, collectors typically choose to exhibit these items in display cabinets or mount them securely on walls. Gentle dusting with a dry cloth keeps the porcelain safe.

How do I identify the period of a plate?

Dating relies on examining factory marks stamped or painted on the reverse of the porcelain. Different reigns and eras, such as the Georgian Regency or Victorian periods, utilised specific printed ciphers and pattern numbers. Stylistic cues also help narrow down the date. The painting style, the shape of the well and rim, and the type of gilding often align with known manufacturing decades.