How were faience plates used historically?

These tin-glazed earthenware dishes served primarily as decorative wall chargers and display pieces in prosperous European homes. Their vibrant painted surfaces were meant to be admired rather than subjected to daily dining use. Larger chargers occupied prominent positions on sideboards or walls, while smaller plates complemented domestic table settings during formal occasions.

How do I date a delft charger?

Dating relies on stylistic shifts in painting techniques, colour palettes and the thickness of the earthenware body. Seventeenth-century examples often exhibit Kraak influences or deep blue tones, whereas eighteenth-century pieces frequently display lighter polychrome florals. Examining the foot ring, glaze characteristics and any workshop marks helps narrow down the production period between the seventeen-hundreds and nineteen-hundreds.

What is the difference between delft and maiolica?

Delft refers specifically to tin-glazed earthenware made in the Netherlands, characterised by its distinct blue and white or polychrome Dutch aesthetics. Maiolica generally describes Italian tin-glazed pottery with deep historical or classical painting traditions. Both share the fundamental tin-glaze technique over an earthenware body but developed distinct regional artistic styles across Europe.