How were these chargers displayed?

Historic households typically hung these large plates on walls or stood them upright on dressers to showcase their painted surfaces. Their broad diameters made them ideal centrepieces for formal rooms. Today, collectors use specialist plate hangers or display stands to mount them safely on walls or place them on furniture surfaces.

How do I care for a historic charger?

Keep tin-glazed earthenware out of direct sunlight and away from areas prone to rapid humidity changes. Dust the surface gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying cleaning liquids. Avoid washing historic ceramic chargers in water, as the porous earthenware body and historic glazes remain vulnerable to moisture absorption.

How do I distinguish 17th and 18th century pieces?

Seventeenth-century examples often feature heavier earthenware bodies and designs influenced by Chinese Kraak porcelain. Eighteenth-century pieces frequently introduce broader polychrome palettes, manganese accents, and British or continental floral patterns. Examining the foot ring, glaze characteristics, and painting style helps determine the specific period and manufacturing origin.