How do I display a charger plate?

Large chargers work best secured with proper wire hangers on a plain wall to let the painted surface stand out. Alternatively, place them on sturdy plate stands on sideboards or mantelpieces away from heavy foot traffic.

Were these dishes used for dining?

Most surviving chargers and large plates served decorative functions in wealthy seventeenth and eighteenth century households rather than daily meals. Specialised forms like barber's bowls and sweetmeat dishes fulfilled specific grooming and serving roles.

How do I tell seventeenth and eighteenth century pieces apart?

Seventeenth-century examples often lean towards Dutch Baroque or Kraak styles with deep blue palettes and robust earthenware bodies. Eighteenth-century pieces frequently introduce polychrome floral patterns and lighter geometric borders.

What is polychrome delftware?

Polychrome delftware uses several colours in the painted design instead of traditional cobalt blue alone. Artisans added yellow, green, and iron-red pigments to create vibrant floral and geometric compositions.