How do I hang a display plate safely?

Display plates require specialised spring-loaded hangers that grip the rim securely without causing damage to the ceramic or glaze. Flat brass or coated wire attachments distribute the weight evenly across the back of the plate. Wall placement should avoid areas prone to heavy vibrations, direct heat sources, or prolonged strong sunlight that might fade delicate enamel colours over time.

Were these plates ever used for food?

Most pieces categorized as cabinet plates or chargers were made strictly for visual display. Their intricate overglaze enamels and gold leaf decorations were not intended to withstand regular contact with cutlery and food. Some earlier Delft and earthenware dishes saw light service on formal tables before retiring to display roles, but nineteenth-century cabinet pieces remain strictly decorative.

What is the difference between earthenware and porcelain?

Earthenware uses clay fired at lower temperatures, resulting in a porous body that requires an opaque tin glaze to hold liquids, as seen in Delftware. Porcelain uses refined kaolin clay fired at much higher temperatures to produce a vitreous, non-porous white body. Bone china adds animal bone ash to the porcelain mixture, creating a warmer tone and translucency prized by English factories.