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Hi, I was recently given 2 rectangular plates. Both have oriental design. The smaller one is 15cm x 8.5 cm and has a dragon on the bottom right hand side, with some small flowers and clouds. It has 4 characters on the back. The design is mainly blue and white with some colour in the flowers.
The 2nd plate is also rectangular and is only blue and white. It is 21 cm x 14.5 cm. It has 5 children (2 groups of 2 and a single child), there are a few butterflies and flowers with decorative trim. It also has four characters on the back of the plate.
I have looked at many web site and books but have not been able to establish if they are Chinese or Japanese. My question is: "How can I date some thing like this, how can I narrow down whether it is Chinese or Japanese and can you suggest any web site or reference books that may be able to help?

Tens millions dishes made last 50 years for home, restaurant, with generic scenes as you say.

Dating not important for them. Would not be important if made Chinese, Japanese or other factory unless have high artistic quality.

Since there is no 'collector' value for most such things, no one bother publish in books.

If you post photos top and bottom, in-focus and well-lit, someone might be able to tell you about quality.

Good luck,
Cal

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