Types of Plate
Vintage porcelain plates have various sizes and shapes.
Also, we call them by different names.
On this page, you can find how collectors call them by their shape. And where they are supposed to be placed.
Different countries may have different names.
Types of Plate
These are Schumann Bavaria Dresden flowers set(not a full set).
Let me give you an example with them.
Small plates
SAUCER
A saucer is a small plate to stand a cup on.
Its size depends on the cup size.
BREAD & BUTTER
Bread plates are also called side plates, which are small-sized plates for bread.
Its size is 15~18cm in general, and it is placed to the left above side of the dinner plate.
SALAD
Salad plates are also small plates like bread & butter.
What's different is the place when setting a table.
The salad plate would be placed on the left side of the main plate.
Mid-Large Plates
LUNCH or DESSERT
Lunch or Dessert plates are usually 21~23cm sized plates.
A little bit bigger than a salad plate.
Lunch or Dessert plate can be placed above the dinner plate.
The one in the middle of the photo.
DINNER or SERVICE
Dinner or Service plate is for the main course of the meal.
Usually 25~30cm.
CHARGER or PLATTER
Charger or Platter is a large, flat plate.
It’s like a dinner plate, but differentiated by size.
Usually, charger or platter is more larger than a dinner plate.
Over 30cm.
Others
COMPOTE or TAZZA
A compote dish is also called a comport, tazza, or Bon Bon.
It is generally a plate on a pedestal.
And it is used for desserts like sweets, chocolate, or cookies.
However, you can hold anything to decorate the table, like flowers.
GRAVY BOAT
A gravy boat is a type of pitcher to serve gravy.
You can hold anything like curry or sauces that have fluid.