What is a charger plate?

A charger is a large decorative dish measuring significantly wider than a standard dinner plate. They were made primarily to be displayed on walls, sideboards or central tables. In older interiors, chargers served as focal points of decorative display rather than functional tableware. Their substantial surface area provided makers with ample space for complex painted scenes.

How do I hang a display plate?

Display plates and chargers require secure fixings that distribute the weight evenly across the ceramic body. Wire spring hangers with protective rubber tips are commonly used for wall mounting. Care must be taken to choose a hanger sized correctly for the diameter of the dish. For very large or heavy chargers, solid wall brackets or specialised display ledges offer safer support.

How are Japanese Imari plates dated?

Dating Imari porcelain involves examining the weight of the ceramic body, the tone of the underglaze blue, and the quality of the iron red and gilt enamels. Meiji period pieces often display bright, varied palettes and clean white bases. Earlier pieces from the Edo period typically feature heavier bodies and deeper, slightly greyer underglaze tones. stylistic clues like the rendering of borders and floral panels also help narrow down the production period.

What is the difference between earthenware and porcelain?

Earthenware is a porous, opaque ceramic body fired at lower temperatures, requiring a glaze to become impermeable. It forms the foundation for traditional delftware and ironstone chargers. Porcelain is a dense, vitrified ceramic fired at much higher temperatures until it becomes semi-translucent and non-porous. This material underpins fine cabinet plates and many Japanese export wares.