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Looking to see if anyone can provide any help with the mark on this plate. It appears to be a dynasty mark surrounded by two dragons. I find myself picking up the plate to just look at the mark and then flipping it over to look at the detail of the work on the face of the plate. Any assistance is appreciated.

This is an apocryphal mark of 'Made during the Xuande reign of the Great Ming Dynasty', which Chinese and some other Asian metalsmiths have obsessively applied to their works in tribute to celebrated bronzes made during the early 15th century rule of the Ming Xuande emperor. So ubiquitous is the mark that it now is tantamount to a synonym for Chinese bronze. Original Xuande bronzes were crisply cast by the lost wax method, thus usually have none of the unfinished appearance that seems to have been sand-cast or roughly chased into yours.

Best regards,

Bill H.

supposed to be a Ming Xuande mark, but probably quite recently made.

Looks like mark says Great Ming Xuan de reign made.

It is apocryphal. The Xuande reign was notable for, among other things, excellence of bronze work.

Such marks with flanking dragons very commonly found on many mixed-metal items made 20th century. Possibly 19th century items as well, but I have not seen anything that could be reliably dated to actually then.

Good luck,
Cal

Thank you all for your responses. Wasn't sure how the mark was placed on the plate....all your answers have helped a great deal.

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