Charger plates or service plates are larger decorative plates used to dress up dinner tables at parties, weddings, and other special events. While the charger plates have been around since the 19th century, they returned to popularity in the late `90s. Since food is not actually served on chargers, they are often called underplates or chop plates.[1] The word, charger, originated in 1275 - 1325 from the Middle English chargeour. Formerly, a charger signified either a large platter or a large, shallow dish for liquids.[2]
They are usually large in size and bigger than most common dinner plates. Since they do not have the function for serving food, charger plates can be found in variety of materials, from traditional china, to metal, wood, glass, plastic and pearl.
Charger plate etiquette and use varies among caterers and restaurants. Some professional catering companies remove the decorative charger plate as soon as the guests are seated. More commonly, charger plates are kept on the table during the serving of soups and first courses, and act as a base on which food-bearing bowls and dishes are placed. In other instances, when the design of charger plates compliments the design of dining plates, charger plates are left on the table throughout the course of meal. However, charger plates are always removed before serving desserts.[1]
In Mark 6:25, KJV and Matthew 14:8, KJV, 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.[3][4][5]