The original term for charger plate comes from the Old English term "chargeour" from the Middle Ages (around 1275-1325).
What do a horse and a club plate have in common?
Interestingly, the term "charger" was once often used to describe a horse, especially in the context of battle.
But what do a horse and a charger plate have in common? They are united by the definition of the meaning of their common designation - the transfer of heavy objects from one place to another. Just as the horse carried its rider, this plate carried the burden of the plate loaded with food around the table.
The original charger plates were much larger than we know them today, as they were circulating around a table full of goodies during royal banquets. Over time, however, individual dining came to the fore, and so the size of charger plates gradually decreased.
As a part of dining, the charger plate has been used as standard since the 19th century, then it has partially fallen into oblivion, but since the end of the last century it has gained popularity again and has come to the forefront of the designers and decorators of festive tables.
First mention
Did you know that the oldest mention of a charger plate appears in the Bible? In the Gospel of Mark and Matthew, we learn that Salome, the daughter of Herodias, requested John the Baptist’s head in a “charger” from Herod Antipas as her reward for dancing at his birthday party.
