Decorating home walls with porcelain plates: A history spanning over 1000 years

The practice of decorating home walls with porcelain plates, a trend that became common in middle-class homes during the 20th century, has a history stretching back over a millennium to ancient China.

Porcelain, referred to as "white gold," was invented in China around 206 BC. Its unique formula, combining kaolin and feldspar, was a closely guarded secret, ensuring exclusivity along the ancient Silk Road. Compared to common clay, porcelain was remarkably resistant, possessed a distinct shine, and had a smooth texture. These qualities, along with its ability to preserve food flavor, made it a symbol of power and wealth, accessible only to a select few outside the Eastern empire.

In contrast, Europeans during the Middle Ages used simpler wooden bowls and carved plates. The first porcelain pieces arrived in Europe in the 15th century through trade with Asia. This sparked a desire for ornate and unique tableware, as possessing porcelain signified economic status. The European nobility and royalty prized these items, often displaying them as works of art in palaces rather than using them for daily meals, reserving them for significant occasions.

By the 16th century, Europeans, particularly the French and later Italians, began developing their own porcelain industries. While the quality initially didn't match the Oriental standard, European artisans learned the techniques to produce their own plates, cups, and serving dishes. This innovation made porcelain more accessible, and by the 19th century, it became a common feature in middle-class households, leading to the decorative trend of hanging plates on walls.