How were chargers used originally?

Historic chargers functioned primarily as grand serving platters for communal feasts or as decorative centrepieces on large sideboards and buffets. Their substantial diameter allowed them to display elaborate painted scenes rather than see heavy daily dining use. Over time, households transitioned these large dishes entirely to display roles, mounting them on walls or placing them on stands to protect the painted enamels and delicate glazes from cutlery damage.

How do I distinguish eighteenth and nineteenth century pieces?

Eighteenth century chargers typically exhibit finer, thinner potting and more controlled cobalt underglaze or restrained famille rose palettes. The porcelain bodies tend to have a smoother, soapier feel to the touch. Nineteenth century pieces often display heavier bodies, brighter and more densely packed enamel colours such as rose medallion, and busier borders. Mark styles and reign characters also help anchor pieces to specific imperial periods.

Can I hang a porcelain charger on the wall?

Hanging these chargers is common practice, provided you use a specialist, spring-loaded wall hanger with rubber or vinyl coated prongs that distribute pressure evenly across the rim. Avoid wire or adhesive mounts that risk stressing the ceramic body. Ensure the wall fixing is anchored securely into a stud or uses heavy-duty wall plugs, as large porcelain chargers carry considerable weight and require stable support.

What does blue and white mean?

Blue and white refers to porcelain decorated using cobalt pigment beneath a transparent glaze, producing blue designs against a white ground. This technique reached high technical refinement during the Qing dynasty. The style draws on centuries of ceramic tradition, utilising motifs such as dragons, landscapes, and floral arrangements that appear crisp and permanent under the glossy glaze layer.