Red Chamber Series Appraisal

Chinese Porcelain Decorative Plate (Dream of the Red Chamber Series)

The item is the reverse side of a white porcelain decorative plate, likely part of a series or limited edition. The plate features extensive black calligraphic text in both traditional Chinese and English, along with a distinct red and black mark that appears to be a manufacturer's or series emblem. The Chinese text is a comprehensive description and is oriented in a circular fashion, following the curve of the plate's rim. The content of the Chinese script includes production details, such as a serial number (appears to be '己九七' or similar, followed by '一九八六' indicating the year 1986), and also mentions '限量' (limited edition), suggesting a controlled production run. It also references '红楼梦' (Dream of the Red Chamber), indicating the plate likely depicts scenes or characters from this classic Chinese novel. The English text, positioned near the bottom edge, clearly states: 'Artistic object. Precious metal pigments may be toxic. Do not use for eating.' This warning reinforces its decorative purpose and provides insight into the materials used, implying the presence of genuine gold or silver accents which were common in fine porcelain. Below the English text, the characters '中国工艺品进出口公司' (China National Arts & Crafts Import & Export Corporation) are printed, identifying the official exporter. The porcelain itself appears to be of good quality, with a smooth, glossy white glaze. There are no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear on the surface shown. The rim of the plate, visible at the top, shows a clean, unglazed edge, typical of kiln-fired ceramics. The overall craftsmanship suggests a well-made, commercially produced item from the People's Republic of China, dating to 1986, intended for collection rather than utilitarian use.