...at least, I think it's Chinese. I bought this and an identical one at a car boot sale about 20 years ago and have just rediscovered them. The other has the same characters but done in a slightly differently hand. They cost next to nothing and I bought them because they have a nice handmade look, but it would be great if someone could tell me what the text means (hopefully it's not "Stolen from X restaurant..")

 

It is a classical poem by a poet from the Tang Dynasty (about 700AD). Original Chinese characters reads:

枫桥夜泊 [唐] 张继
月落乌啼霜满天，江枫渔火对愁眠。
姑苏城外寒山寺，夜半钟声到客船。

Translation:
Maple Bridge Night Mooring, by [Tang Dynasty] Zhang Ji
The moon descends, crows caw, frostiness fills the sky;
riverside maples, fishermen's lights, facing me in my worried sleep.
Outside Gusu city lies Cold Mountain Temple;
at midnight, the sound of bells reaches the ferries.

 

Wonderful! Thank you so much, Robin!

 

Very chill. This forum is full of surprises.....

 

You are welcome! It’s a famous poem that everyone learned from their primary school text book. A sad poem with a lot of worries for the poet as a person and also for the country in a shaky period with wars and riots.

 

Do you have any thoughts on the plate itself, ie might it be an ordinary dinner plate, a special purpose plate of some sort, or just decorative? For the Chinese market or for export? I realise you might not be a pottery expert but you have a better chance of knowing than I do. BTW Mrs E also loves the poem!

 

Not oven proof, not microwave proof, not dishwasher safe, probably LEAD in the enamel finish. Put a plate hanger on it and put it on the wall.

 

Ahh.. those questions are beyond my capabilities, sorry. The writing is the calligraphy practice of a modern artist, so I doubt it has any historical value. Most likely just a decorative piece to be displayed, less likely to be a dinner plate.

 

That's what I thought, so good to have it confirmed. Thanks again.

 

Don't feed the cat with it, cats don't appreciate fine poetry.