What is a delft charger?

A delft charger is a large decorative earthenware plate finished with an opaque tin glaze. These sizeable dishes were primarily intended for display on walls or sideboards rather than everyday dining. Craftsmen painted them by hand using cobalt pigment and mineral oxides. They remain central to collections of early European ceramics.

How do I date a delft plate?

Dating relies on examining the tin glaze, the weight of the earthenware body, and the painting style. Seventeenth and eighteenth-century examples often display subtle glaze irregularities and characteristic cobalt tones. Later nineteenth and twentieth-century pieces, such as Moorish Revival or portrait chargers, exhibit distinct decorative techniques and heavier bodies.

Were these plates used for dining?

Most large chargers and decorated dishes served decorative functions within wealthy households. Their tin-glazed surfaces were relatively soft and prone to scratching from metal cutlery. Smaller plates saw occasional table use, but surviving examples generally owe their preservation to display and careful handling over centuries.