What is a dutch tin glaze charger?

It is a large earthenware plate covered in an opaque white tin glaze and decorated with hand-painted pigments. Potters made them primarily in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries for visual display. These items served as prominent ornaments in prosperous homes, reflecting trade connections with Asia and local artistic traditions.

How were these chargers used originally?

People hung them on walls or stood them upright on dressers and sideboards to catch the light and impress visitors. Their large surface area made them ideal vehicles for narrative or floral artwork. They were distinct from everyday tableware, remaining safely out of the way of rough daily use.

How do I hang an antique charger safely?

Use a professionally fitted, coated wire hanger that distributes the weight evenly across the rim without putting pressure on the earthenware body. Ensure the wall fixing is secure. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or areas of high humidity to protect the tin glaze over time.

How can I tell 17th century from 18th century pieces?

Seventeenth-century examples often lean heavily into Kraak styles and starker blue and white contrasts, alongside specific lobed or panelled rim shapes. Eighteenth-century pieces frequently introduce broader floral patterns, geometric borders, and richer polychrome or manganese palettes. Glaze thickness and body weight also shift subtly across the decades, though stylistic overlap remains common.