What is a charger plate?

A charger plate is a large decorative dish that exceeds the standard dining plate in diameter. Historically utilised for formal presentation or upright display on a wall or cabinet. On this page, chargers serve as prominent visual focal points due to their broad, painted surfaces.

How were Imari plates made?

Imari plates were produced using a combination of underglaze cobalt blue painting on the clay body followed by a high-temperature firing. Artisans then added iron-red enamels and gold gilt details in subsequent lower-temperature firings. This multi-stage technique created the characteristic layered, colourful patterns seen on Japanese porcelain.

How do I display a heavy porcelain platter?

Heavy porcelain platters and chargers require sturdy wall-mounting brackets with coated prongs designed to distribute weight evenly across the rim. Alternatively, they sit securely in deep, dedicated display stands on flat surfaces. Ensure any wall fixture is anchored directly into solid masonry or wall studs.

How do I tell Meiji period Imari apart?

Meiji period Imari pieces typically exhibit crisp, vibrant underglaze blues combined with dense iron-red and gold painted designs depicting foliage, birds, or figures. The porcelain bodies are generally heavier and more uniformly potted than earlier eighteenth-century prototypes. Look closely at the brushwork control and the brightness of the gilt highlights for period indicators.