How do I hang a charger safely?

Traditional wire spring hangers distribute pressure evenly around the rim without damaging the earthenware body. Ensure the wall fixing secures firmly into masonry or studwork to support the weight of these substantial dishes. Avoid adhesive disk hangers attached directly to the unglazed footring, as the historic tin glaze can flake under sustained tension. Padded display brackets offer a secure alternative for particularly heavy or valuable chargers.

What is the difference between delft and porcelain?

Delft is a refined earthenware body covered in an opaque white tin glaze, whereas true porcelain is a dense, vitrified ceramic fired at much higher temperatures. Earthenware remains heavier, more porous, and softer than imported Oriental porcelain. Potters in the Netherlands developed tin-glazed earthenware as an affordable European alternative to costly imported Chinese porcelain. The resulting blue and white designs mimic porcelain aesthetics while retaining a distinct ceramic character.

How do I date a dutch delft charger plate?

Stylistic shifts from seventeenth-century Baroque exuberance to eighteenth-century floral and Chinoiserie patterns provide initial chronological markers. Thicker bodies and simpler cobalt palettes often point toward earlier production periods. Examining the footring, glaze characteristics, and recorded workshop practices helps narrow the decade of manufacture. Comparing pieces with dated archival examples clarifies whether an item originates from the seventeenth or eighteenth century.