"Charger plates" are decorative plates used during special occasions or dinners to add elegance to the table setting and protect the tablecloth or table underneath. They are placed under the dinner plate but are not meant for eating. Full definition
Each place setting is layers of china beginning with a glass charger plate as the base and next a beaded silver rim and cobalt blue dinner plate placed on top. (christmastablescapedecor.com)
I painted the inside of a copper - colored charger plates with chalkboard paint. (paperandfox.com)
If you have plastic charger plates like me, consider painting them. (remingtonavenue.com)