Plate that caught my eye - but is it a real find? Simple Oriental Lettering (4 characters) Impressed in a square pottery mark

by Lynn
(Casco, ME)

Simple Oriental Lettering (4 characters) Impressed in a square pottery mark

Simple Oriental Lettering (4 characters) Impressed in a square pottery mark

Hi Peter and everyone else in this community . .


I love stopping at yard sales. I was travelling through a beautiful part of Maine and saw an interesting sale along the side of the road. First I was drawn to a very unusual table - and found out it was a cobbler table.

Then my eye turned to this very beautiful ceramic plate - I had to have it. I turned it over and had no clue what the fish or the square that was visible meant but I didn't really care since I thought the plate was just too beautiful to pass up.

The people drove a hard bargain but I managed to get the plate, the cobblers table and 2 intriguing frames for $50 and I walked away quite happy.

I got home and ran many searches trying to figure out the history of this beautiful plate, but just didn't have any luck. I would love to know anything I can find out about it because the hunt is often the most satisfying part of the these unexpected purchases.

I'm hoping someone will see this and know exactly what it is. I love having special pieces in my home and I hope that I find out that this one is truly special.

Thanks to anyone that winds up helping me in this journey, I truly appreciate it.

Lynn

Comments for Plate that caught my eye - but is it a real find? Simple Oriental Lettering (4 characters) Impressed in a square pottery mark

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This is a (possibly) antique Japanese plate (made for export)
by: Peter (admin)

Lynn

According to fellow sleuther, Jan-Erik Nilsson of Gotheborg (see www.gotheborg.com/marks/20thcenturyjapan.shtml), this lovely plate is Japanese, it might be antique as this mark was known to be used at the beginning of the 20th Century and came from a kiln which began around the 1870's.

This is export ware from the Arita Imari region and the words on the pottery mark depict the Yamatoku (Mountain virtue) Kiln in the Saga Prefecture.

This kiln began in the Meiji period (1868-1912) period during which the leaders of the nation were trying to modernise the old artisan traditions of Japan into a modern industrial nation.

The Mountain virtue Kiln kiln still operates today. When the marks are impressed like these the language is written in 'katagana' script rather than kanji characters.

Enjoy your piece and have fun researching the value from here.

Best regards

Peter (admin)

p.s. other marks from the same kiln look like this according to Jan-Erik Nilsson of Gotheborg (see www.gotheborg.com/marks/20thcenturyjapan.shtml)


oriental-square-impressed-simple-4character-pottery-marking




Simple Oriental Lettering (4 characters) Impressed in a square pottery mark
Thank you Peter!
by: Lynn

The link you gave me indeed had the exact mark on my plate - telling me it was probably made between 1910 and 1920. That in itself is wonderful to know. I so appreciate the help.

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