Old chinese plate; Age and origin?

[Silbersammler]

Hi,
I will help a friend, who bought a very nice plate. It is silver and looks for me like old an from chinese origin.
But I`m no expert for asien silver, so I bet for your help with two questions:
Is ist from China? How about the age?
Weight is 1,4 kg, diameter 42 cm.

http://www.myimg.de/?img=asiatischerTeller1a66ea.jpg
http://www.myimg.de/?img=asiatischerTeller2a4352.jpg
http://www.myimg.de/?img=asiatischerTeller3e498c.jpg
http://www.myimg.de/?img=asiatischerTeller4c21df.jpg
http://www.myimg.de/?img=asiatischerTeller533ec1.jpg

Any help is very welcome.

Kind regards
silbersammler

[davidross]

Hello

I believe that the plate's central medallion shows Krishna with the five-headed cobra, so it is almost certainly from India.

Are there no hallmarks or maker's marks on the plate? This would not be unusual for Indian work, which makes it hard to identify. Your friend may want to have it tested for silver content.

Stylistically, the plate could be anywhere from late 19th century to mid 20th century. India is not my area, so someone else may know more.

Regards

David R

[Silbersammler]

Thanks a lot for your help, David.
There are no hallmarks, I forgot to say. It is tested with acid for silver (I think, in india it is mostly 925).
One more secret is solved :-)

Kind regards
Steffen

[dognose]

Hi Steffen,

Probably just shy of 925. The main source of working silver for Indian silversmiths was the Rupee coin, which from 1862-1938 was made out of 917/1000 silver.

This is one of the reasons why very little Indian silver was actually sold in the UK with British hallmarks.

Trev.

[Silbersammler]

Already learned something, thanks, Trev.
Steffen