What Are Decorative Charger Plates?
Decorative charger plates are traditionally used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of place settings at formal dinners. They function as underplates on which other dishes are set. Chargers can be removed when diners are seated, after soup or salad, or after the appetizer has been finished. The surface of decorative charger plates is often very ornate. Hand-painted images and logos are commonly featured, sometimes with paintings etched in gold or silver. Decorative charger plates made from ceramic or pottery might also display the indigenous art of another country. The term charger plate derives either from Middle English chargeour or Old French chargeoir, meaning to load, as plates are loaded on top of them. A more contemporary and darkly humorous explanation is that charger plates are more often used at restaurants that “charge”a lot for their food. How to Decorate with Charger Plates Fine china is usually kept in china cabinets, but decorative charger plates are commonly displayed
