Need help identifying plate.

[GAOldsman]

I have what I think is an American Indian plate. Not sure about that but it's what my Dad always said it was. It appears to be red clay or terracotta and is not painted but has intricate designs on the "face" Sorry for the bad pics will try to upload more if this works. It is 8 3/4" in diameter.
Thanks
Scot



Plate


Plate 2


Plate edge


Plate middle


Back

 

[LadyDragonWolf]

I adjusted this a bit, hope it helps.

 

[LadyDragonWolf]

Yay shrinky-dinks!
I also jacked up the contrast on this for better detail view...

 

[LadyDragonWolf]

I'm dumb, forgot to mention that the border doesn't look native to me, but the sun in the middle looks vaguely Southwest Native. They did a lot of designs that included triangles, diamonds, and straight lines... sorta vaguely Aztec inspired... Whereas a lot of other traditional native designs had more flow and curve. Not sure if that helps or makes sense, but remember that I have no clue on the border there.

 

[GAOldsman]

Thanks so much for adjusting the pics. I am kinda new to the digital camera uploading thing. The plate is old, how old I am guessing maybe 60-100 years? It does look to me like it was made on a pottery wheel, because of the marks on the bottom. It is very symmetrical as to the patterns all except around the area before rope feature surrounds the plate, in which some of the design touches that edge and some of the design does not.
Thanks again
Scot

 

[Rasputin]

It looks "India Indian" to me, not native American. Maybe even Tibetan.

 

[SkyPirate]

I adjusted this a bit, hope it helps.

Thanks Lady Dragon! Pictures way too big!

 

[SkyPirate]

I diddn't know American Indians used plates

 

[revravyid]

I have seen American Indian plates, however they were not usually used as we use them today. More or less ceremonial.
The border looks like it could be Pima. I would contact someone at your local university in the Anthropoplogy or Archaeology department, maybe you could narrow down the type of clay used, and where that clay has been found in the past. Like most minerals, there are "fingerprints" that determine their native location.