How were decorative ceramic chargers used?

Historically, large chargers served as ornamental centerpieces on sideboards or were hung on walls to display wealth and artistic taste. Today, collectors use them in similar interior settings, often mounting them securely on walls or resting them on plate stands to highlight their scale and painted details.

How do I identify a Delft charger?

Delft chargers typically feature an earthenware body covered in an opaque white tin glaze, frequently painted in cobalt blue with botanical or Chinoiserie scenes. Examining the unglazed footrim often reveals the porous clay body characteristic of European earthenware produced during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

What is the difference between Imari and Delft?

Imari pieces originate from Japan, utilising porcelain bodies decorated with distinct iron red, cobalt blue, and gilding. Delft pieces are European earthenwares covered in a white tin glaze. While both offer striking visual patterns for display, their ceramic composition and regional origins differ completely.

Can these plates be hung on walls?

Many large chargers were manufactured with display in mind, though period pieces require specialist, non-damaging wire hangers that distribute the weight evenly. Ensure any hanging hardware is securely fitted to the footrim or utilises a properly sized spring clamp designed for antique ceramics.