My wife has a metal frame with a decorative image on the front (blue vase with yellow flowers) which was left to her by her Nan when she died. We are trying to figure our what it is from and on the back are the following symbols. Does anyone who knows Chinese/Japanese symbols no what they mean? This is the original photo and the symbols taken out: or Depending on what is just a mark on the metal or part of the symbol. I've run them through google image translate and for the first symbol I got either the letter I or Takeshi (Takeshi would make sense if it was the artist's name, but the symbol didn't look quite right). I have since got no further in my quest to figure out the text. Hopefully someone here can shed some sort of light.
I thought the first one in your first set is 我. It means I or me or self. No idea on second one, my limited educated guessed is is 记. Together they don't really make sense. Are you sure there isn't any more? Can you give us a photo of the actual object? This is assuming it is simplified Chinese of course. I only know limited every-day words from being Chinese and learning in primary school.
those two symbols are the only ones to feature on the back. what you see in the first photo is all that is on the back. I'll upload a fuller shot and the front later when I am home from work.
I wonder if the artist didn't remember making the vase or why (or to whom). Google translates 我记 to "I can not remember" (I'll see myself out)
Would be something but the second character (记) doesn't look right. 我 is looking good for the first symbol, just that illusive second to figure.
You're assuming of course that it means/translates to anything... There's a lot of that kind of think where it's done for the 'oh that looks cool' factor and the end result is actually gibberish...
Well yes there is that possibility (and probably more likely). But I would have thought the symbols would actually exist rather than just be made made up, even if they translate to gibberish.
It's traditional Chinese that's for sure, but it doesn't make any sense in Chinese. When literally translated, it means "I remember".
My wife found out tonight that it's a Chinese Cloisonne Tray that the symbols are stamped on. Dating potentially from the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912). Still not sure on the symbols though. A friend posted that it could be this but worn away (義記) seems close but doesn't seem enough room to fit the missing bits if they did rub off. Did find an extra little bit on the bottom symbol though which I'd previously missed so going to try searching with that. But just glad that we've figured out what the item is
If it is genuine, it's another artifact looted and taken away from China during the Opium war. Selling opium drug is such a dirty tactic, it is no worse than invasion of Europe by the Nazi. Take it to an expert, and if it's of real historical value, donate it to the Chinese government.
Most likely it's a makers mark and date, as been said take to a expert, I always used Bonhams you have one at Bury St Edmunds would be a good place
Yeah think we have done all the amateur research we can. Bury is nearby so next time we are over that way will take it in to see what they say. Thanks for all the input guys
