Our latest set of charger plates. We now have three sets: gold beads, gold embossing, and, in this photo, gold vines.

We love the way our charger plates shine gold light on our faces.

Several decades ago, charger plates were typically made of iron, and eventually of brass. They were meant to "charge" or heat, over low fires, dinner plates laden with food--especially at a time when microwave ovens were not yet in use.

Today, charger plates are made of lightweight materials and function exclusively like placemats.

Photo by Neil de Leon