How were charger plates used?

Charger plates served primarily as decorative under-plates placed beneath smaller service dishes during formal banquets. They provided a grand framework for the dining table rather than holding food directly. Over time, larger platters transitioned into purely display objects, hung on walls or exhibited on sideboards to showcase intricate cobalt paintings and glazes.

How do I display a charger plate?

Displaying a large charger plate requires sturdy wall mountings or deep cabinet grooves designed to support substantial ceramic weight. Because many pieces measure over thirty centimetres across, stable placement is essential. Pairing the plate with neutral backgrounds allows the cobalt blue and enamel details to stand out clearly within a room.

How can I tell Japanese Arita from Chinese export?

Japanese Arita porcelain often displays distinct greyish undertones in the body and characteristic scrolling foliate borders surrounding pictorial motifs. The iron-red and cobalt palette typical of Imari wares points specifically toward Japanese production. Chinese export pieces from the Ming and Qing periods generally employ different potting techniques and varying shades of cobalt blue under the glaze.

What is cobalt underglaze?

Cobalt underglaze is a mineral pigment painted directly onto the raw ceramic body before the transparent glaze layer goes on. The piece is then fired at extremely high temperatures, causing the cobalt to melt into the glaze. This technique protects the blue decoration from wear and tear, ensuring the pigment remains vibrant across centuries.