How do I hang a heavy charger safely?

Heavy ceramic, brass, or copper plates require robust, adjustable spring-loaded brass hangers that distribute the weight evenly around the rim without slipping. Ensure the wall fixing engages directly with a stud or utilises a proper masonry plug. Avoid cheap plastic grips or adhesive disks, which fail under the substantial weight of large 19th-century metal or porcelain chargers over time.

Were these plates ever used for dining?

Most large chargers and decorative plaques were made expressly for display on sideboards, cabinets, or walls, particularly during the Victorian and Meiji periods. Their generous scale and delicate surface decoration made them impractical for everyday dining. Some earlier Delft and earthenware examples originated as serving vessels, but their survival in good condition usually points to a long history of domestic display.

How can I tell Japanese Imari from European copies?

Japanese Imari porcelain from the Meiji period typically exhibits a slightly greyish or granular paste beneath a clear glaze, combined with dense, hand-applied iron red and gilt ornamentation. European ironstone and porcelain imitations often show a brighter, whiter ceramic body with more uniform, mechanically printed transfer lines beneath the hand colour. Examining the foot ring and any kiln marks on the reverse often reveals the distinct manufacturing practices of European potteries versus Japanese kilns.

What is the difference between Delft and faience?

Delft specifically refers to tin-glazed earthenware produced in the Dutch town of Delft, known for its distinctive blue and white Chinoiserie or maritime motifs. Faience is the broader continental European term for tin-glazed earthenware made in France, Spain, and Germany, which frequently embraces polychrome palettes. Both share a porous buff or pinkish ceramic body covered in an opaque white tin glaze that accepts painted decoration before firing.