What is a cabinet plate?

A cabinet plate is a decorative ceramic dish made primarily for visual display rather than serving food. They usually showcase fine hand-painted art, gilding or pierced borders. Collectors often mount them on walls or display them upright in glass cabinets to protect their fragile enamel surfaces.

How were display dishes used?

These dishes decorated nineteenth-century drawing rooms, dining rooms and sideboards to demonstrate taste and affluence. Large chargers and tazzas occupied central spots on furniture. Some served as decorative fruit platters, though many remained purely ornamental from the time of manufacture.

Can I hang these dishes on walls?

Many of these pieces were made with display in mind, featuring pierced feet or sturdy rims suited for mounting. Use coated wire hangers that distribute weight evenly across the edges. Ensure the wall fixings are secure, particularly for heavier silver plated bronze chargers or large ceramic platters.