Posted 3 years ago
kwqd
(1122 items)
This cast iron plate is 9.5" (24 cm) in diameter x 1" (2.54 cm) high and weighs 4 lbs (2 kg). It has an applied finish and three pierced feet on the back which can be used to hang it or to set it on a flat surface. It originally had a "Japan" label on the back which has gone missing but the adhesive remains. I found a couple of other examples which still have the label attached, one with the original price tag on it. Guessing these plates date from maybe the 1970s or 1980s, but could be older or more recent. I don't know which foundry made these but they appear to be pretty good work, I think.
These came in several finishes, multi-colored like mine or a verdigris (blue green) finish. There may have been other finishes. I like the verdigris finish most, but this example was much less expensive than the other pieces I found, so here we are. I don't hate the colors, though.
I was born in the year of the horse, so have been keeping my eye out for something from Japan with a horse, or horses, on it and this fit nicely since I am currently in my Japanese metal phase. As with many Japanese items which have a sticker on the bottom, I suspect that these were made for both domestic sale and export. If anyone has any insight into this I would appreciate knowing if my guess is correct or incorrect.
Really, really beautiful horse plate Kevin, very lifelike galloping image & great item for your year of the horse
Thanks for your comment Jenni! The foundry that made these did nice work. I hope that I can determine who made it... Japanese horse thing, Check!
Thanks for loving my cast iron horse plate fortapache and Jenni!
That's a real beauty!!
Thank you jscott0363! It is pretty nice work.
Thanks for loving my cast iron horse plate mcheconi, Kevin and jscott0363!
Thank you Cokeman1959!
I am really enjoying all of your posts Kevin, such a variety of Japanese objects, and you always provide great info too.
It was really only quite recently I realised how revered horses are to the Japanese, and important in their arts. This is such a dynamic design, really well done.
Thanks for your comment Karen! Glad you are enjoying these posts. It is an exciting time for me as I am revisiting my old associations with Japanese culture and learning new things. I was not overly interested in art and culture when I lived in Japan and later, but I was still influenced by them and was aware of it. For many years, I have told others that my years in Japan and my later connections to Japanese culture had a huge impact on me as a person, especially how I interact with people, but now realize I was not aware of the depth and breadth of the influences. Better late than never? Too bad I have lost my grasp of the written and spoken language to a great extent and struggle to regain some proficiency.
All things in life shape us I guess. I'm glad you are getting so much enjoyment from it, and giving it to us too.
Thanks for loving my horse plate Vynil33rpm, Thomas, RichmondLori, ho2cultcha, fortapache, Mrstyndall and Karen!
Thank you aura!
Thanks for taking a look blunderbuss2!
Thanks for your comments and for loving my horse plate, Eileen! Interesting horse traits. My horse characteristics are a bit hit and miss. My Virgo traits are spot on, though...
Thank you LovelyPat!
Thank you AmphoraPottery!
Thank you vcal!
Thanks again, Jenni!