How do I care for antique porcelain?

Wash porcelain by hand using warm water and mild soap, avoiding automatic dishwashers that can damage delicate gilding and enamels. Place a towel at the bottom of the sink to cushion the piece during cleaning. Store or display plates securely using padded plate hangers or dedicated stands. Keep antique ceramics away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature shifts to preserve the glaze.

Were these dishes meant for dining?

Many historical vessels served practical dining functions, holding courses at formal tables or presenting cheese and fruit. Serving dishes and dinner plates saw regular use in period households. Larger chargers and cabinet plates served primarily as decorative items for display on walls or sideboards. Examining the wear on the base often reveals whether a piece was used for service or kept for display.

How do I identify Imari patterns?

Imari wares typically combine underglaze cobalt blue with iron red and gilt highlights. The designs frequently incorporate floral motifs, foliage, and panels of birds or landscapes. Originating in Japan during the Edo period, this distinctive decorative scheme was later imitated by European factories in England and France. The bright palette and dense ornamentation make these pieces straightforward to recognise.

What is the difference between hard-paste and soft-paste?

Hard-paste porcelain uses kaolin and petuntse, fired at very high temperatures to create a dense, vitrified body that resists scratching. It was perfected in China and later replicated in Europe. Soft-paste incorporates glass frit and clay, resulting in a warmer, slightly softer body common in 18th-century European factories. Under magnification, soft-paste often reveals a softer glaze surface and distinct translucency.