Hi Irina, I have found that there do armorial plates with Buddhist symbols exist, apparently, but I still have a problem with the mark. Better have someone do a hands-on inspection.
May 14, 2011
FAKE ARMORIAL PLATE by: ROY (glasgow)
HI , PETER YOU SHOWED AN ARMORIAL PLATE WITH A WHEEL OF LIFE AND COAT OF ARMS. I HAVE THE SAME PATTERN ON TWO VASES OF FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE.DO YOU THINK THEY ARE FAKE ALSO.
I have information that there indeed seems to exist armorial porcelain with Buddhist symbols. But, why not upload detailed pictures to let us see them.
Aug 19, 2010
plate by: peter
Irene, I think this could be a fake. First, I can't read the characters in the mark. It is too small. The back picture on the right side looks as if the porcelain body could have some age, but the decoration is not right. I am yet to see a Chinese plate with this color combination, but the odd thing is the decoration.
On the surface it looks like armorial porcelain for export. However, on top of the family crest in the center is a small "wheel of life", another larger one appears at top near the rim. On the left and right are what seems to be conch shells, all Buddhist symbols. I wonder what these have to do with each other? Armorial porcelain was usually ordered in China to show off the family crest. Most genuine armorial plates are relatively plain with the crest being the most important part. No religious symbols are usually included.