How were dutch earthenware charger plates used?

Historic households utilised these large dishes primarily for visual display on sideboards, dressers, or walls to demonstrate wealth and taste. Their generous proportions made them central decorative elements in domestic interiors. While constructed from standard earthenware, their primary function remained ornamental rather than functional dining service due to their size and the delicate nature of the tin glaze.

How do I tell seventeenth century pieces apart?

Seventeenth century examples often exhibit heavier potting, deeper cobalt tones, and distinct stylistic connections to Dutch Baroque or early Kraak imports. Artisans during this period focused heavily on robust forms and direct blue and white painting. Examining the foot ring, glaze pooling, and pigment behaviour under magnification helps differentiate these earlier outputs from eighteenth-century reinterpretations.

What is the difference between blue and white and polychrome?

Blue and white pieces rely exclusively on cobalt pigment beneath or within the tin glaze, producing crisp monochrome imagery inspired by Asian porcelain imports. This style remained popular across multiple centuries of production. Polychrome chargers incorporate additional metallic oxides like manganese, yellow, and green to create multi-coloured floral or geometric compositions that require more complex firing procedures.

How should I display a antique charger plate?

Secure wall mountings designed specifically for heavy plates provide safe vertical display without damaging the historic earthenware body. Ensure the weight is evenly distributed across specialised brass or coated wire hangers. Alternatively, stable plate stands placed within secure cabinets or on deep sideboards allow the piece to rest safely at a slight angle for optimal viewing.

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Dutch Earthenware Charger Plate

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These dutch earthenware charger plate selections bring the bold tin-glazed artistry of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries straight to your walls and tables.