what is this called?

[jessesgirl08]

in some older kitchens they have a shelf that is rather high usually going all along one or 2 walls maybe about 6 or so inches (im bad at measurments) from the ceiling that displayed plates or kick knacks etc.

 

[Argee]

I think it's a plate rail.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Yep! A high plate rail. There are some pictures in Google images.

-dixon cannon

 

[vitanola]

Plate rails often are provided with a groove, about an inch-and-a-half from the wall to catch the edges of the plates and hold them nicely in place.

Plate rails are a typical Arts and Crafts touch. They tended to be a bit more common in dining rooms than in kitchens in the early days of the last century, only coming into favor in kitchens after the widespread adoption of gas and electric ranges lessened the soot deposited on kitchen decorations.