909 or 606 Little Decorative Plates

[GreenhornGirl]

Having trouble finding out anything about these little decorative porcelain china plates.  They have gold edges, I'm not sure how to describe that shape they take on.  Scalloped?  Also not sure if they have a style name that pertains to what they're used for (if anything...maybe they're just decorative), being 4" plates.

I looked at the middle scenes with a magnifying glass and it does have texture over it like it's painted, but the little dots on the edges lead me to believe they are prints.  One has a man playing a flute to a Colonial-style pair (one seems to have a powdered wig), and the other plate has a couple and the man is wearing a cape--the "offness" of the blue on him another thing that makes me think it's printed and not painted.

The bottoms of both plates say "909" in red, although obviously that could be "606" and I'm reading it wrong 

Anyone recognize this marking or know anything about these little scenes, the plate shape, etc.?  Any little tidbit would help!  Thanks!

[GreenhornGirl]

And a related question:  you know those little brown dot marks you sometimes see on ceramic or porcelain?  Is there a name for those?  They look like teeny tiny little burn marks, you must know what I'm referring to, and I'm thinking there's a name for them and/or a reason why they appear.  Anyone know?

[ironlord1963]

     They appear to be Ashtrays, Transfer prints is what the art is considered.  As for Maker I would assume these are made in China for exports, and are mid century in age, the numbers would be pattern numbers, as for the other marks these I think are from various worker, either QC marks, or artist.

[GreenhornGirl]

Thanks, Ironlord! 

[mariok54]

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding the question, but you sometimes get blemishes from the firing process, these are referred to as kiln marks, I think, normally three sections on the base where the pot has been supported .. then you can get kiss marks, where two pieces have touched whilst being fired.  You can also get a whole range of tiny specs caused during the firing process, but I've no idea what they're called.

[GreenhornGirl]

Thanks mariok!  Yeah, I was referring to the tiny specs...not sure what they're called either.

[snowflake]

I thought ashtrays at first too! But then it seemed to be at an odd angle. Maybe a small teaspoon or condiment spoon holder?

Modified to add that the most similar one I saw was indeed an ashtray! They just seem too pretty to be one.

[ironlord1963]

    I  had / have a few of these pretty ashtrays and was the rave in the mid century era, and usually have the victorian scene on them.  I would have to admit the angle is a bit odd, but these was quite the export rave of the time.

[snowflake]

I'm just picturing a group of ladies around a poker table smoking cigarettes and using those. The good old days...

[ironlord1963]

     Maybe men Quilting around a table.

[snowflake]

  I have to put some of my things up here soon. It's fun trying to figure things out!