Hey there,

I own this plate that belonged to my mother, and she received it from her father whom received it off an antique shop owner when he owed my grandfather a large sum of money, he told my grandfather never to sell it if he was to get rid of it, but to take it back to the shop. lucky he didn't sell it because now it is mine.

Every body i have asked thus far, says the Chinese text on the back of the plate is long out-dated and no longer used, but I'm not sure if this place is the real deal or a reproduction. if its real does any one know what it says or know the meaning behind it?
thanks,
Sam

It is sometimes noted that the Chinese dragons have five toes on each foot, while the Japanese dragons have three. To explain this phenomenon, Chinese legend states that all Imperial dragons originated in China, and the further away from China a dragon went the fewer toes it had. Dragons only exist in China and Japan because if they traveled further they would have no toes to continue.

However, historical records show that ordinary Chinese dragons had four toes (this dragon was known as Mang), but the Imperial dragon had five (as in the Five elements of Chinese philosophy) (this dragon was known as Long). The four-clawed dragon was typically for nobility and certain high ranking officials. The three clawed dragon was used by the general public (widely seen on various Chinese goods in Ming dynasty). The Long, however, was only for select royalty closely associated with the Imperial family, usually in various symbolic colors, while it was a capital offense for anyone - other than the emperor himself - to ever use the completely gold-colored, five-clawed Long dragon motif. Improper use of claw number and/or colors was considered treason, punishable by execution of the offender's entire clan. Since most east Asian nations at one point or another were considered Chinese tributaries, they were only allowed four-clawed dragons. The five toes rule was enforced since 1336 AD (Yuan the second year).

Sam,

It's probably not exactly "ancient," though that would depend on how old you think a thing has to be to be considered "ancient."

I can't help you with the Chinese characters on the back, but looking at the front, the dragon appears to have five toes. That could mean it's worth some money if it is old and not a reproduction:
(My emphases.)
Source

If it's not a reproduction, it could be that it once belonged to a member of the Emperor's retinue. That is, if I'm seeing the toes right.

Harte

So far all I've been about to find out is that it's in a style used in the nineteenth century as a memorial or keepsake. Depending on size, it would be worn around the neck or kept on a table.
The person i asked could only translate a couple of the words on the left had side. One equates to 'given' and the other 'king/ruler'.

Hey there,

I own this plate that belonged to my mother, and she received it from her father whom received it off an antique shop owner when he owed my grandfather a large sum of money, he told my grandfather never to sell it if he was to get rid of it, but to take it back to the shop. lucky he didn't sell it because now it is mine.

Every body i have asked thus far, says the Chinese text on the back of the plate is long out-dated and no longer used, but I'm not sure if this place is the real deal or a reproduction. if its real does any one know what it says or know the meaning behind it?

here are some photos:





thanks,
Sam

Hey there,

I own this plate that belonged to my mother, and she received it from her father whom received it off an antique shop owner when he owed my grandfather a large sum of money, he told my grandfather never to sell it if he was to get rid of it, but to take it back to the shop. lucky he didn't sell it because now it is mine.

Every body i have asked thus far, says the Chinese text on the back of the plate is long out-dated and no longer used, but I'm not sure if this place is the real deal or a reproduction. if its real does any one know what it says or know the meaning behind it?

here are some photos:





thanks,
Sam

What material is it made from? it appears to imitate buried bronze but the verdigris doesn't look right, the way some of its worn off on the high points revealing the bronze underneath is very so so, the back shows a rough casting but the colour looks wrong and the foundry mark very weak if this was a genuine chinese bronze it would be much sharper well, the whole plaque would be.
If it's not bronze (though it pretends to be) it would most defiantly have some wear on the edges if it had any age to it.

Hey there,

I own this plate that belonged to my mother, and she received it from her father whom received it off an antique shop owner when he owed my grandfather a large sum of money, he told my grandfather never to sell it if he was to get rid of it, but to take it back to the shop. lucky he didn't sell it because now it is mine.

Every body i have asked thus far, says the Chinese text on the back of the plate is long out-dated and no longer used, but I'm not sure if this place is the real deal or a reproduction. if its real does any one know what it says or know the meaning behind it?

here are some photos:





thanks,
Sam

Hey there,

I own this plate that belonged to my mother, and she received it from her father whom received it off an antique shop owner when he owed my grandfather a large sum of money, he told my grandfather never to sell it if he was to get rid of it, but to take it back to the shop. lucky he didn't sell it because now it is mine.

Every body i have asked thus far, says the Chinese text on the back of the plate is long out-dated and no longer used, but I'm not sure if this place is the real deal or a reproduction. if its real does any one know what it says or know the meaning behind it?

here are some photos:





thanks,
Sam