Commemorative Plate

A commemorative plate (also called commemorative plaque) is a kind of plate that bears a photo, or a text, or both, in remembrance or homage to a special person, or to mark an important event or occasion. A commemorative plate is usually attached to a stand for display. Some commemorative plates are affixed with a hook at the back for hanging on a wall or other surfaces. They are also not necessarily round, and vary in shape and size.

A commemorative plate is a preferred item to remember special persons which could be living or deceased, and to mark important occasions in one's life like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, birth in a family, graduation and other occasions.

There are also special commemorative plates commissioned by government agencies, the community, companies and organizations as souvenirs to mark their milestones like anniversaries or project launchings. A commemorative plate is also commonly commissioned by governments to present as the people's gift to important visitors like heads of states.

Common materials used for a commemorative plate include metal, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, brass, stone, wood and tin. The choice of material vary depending on the type of occasion that the commemorative plate marks, and one's budget.

The design of early commemorative plates for both text and image were etched or engraved either by hand or machine. As such, some commemorative plates are representative pieces of fine art and crafty details, and command a steep price.

Modern commemorative plate make use of conventional fine bone china or ceramic as that of a typical plate used for eating. The text and image are also done manually through handpainting, decal process or glazing, or digitally printed using a computer and an attached plate printer. Commemorative plates may also come as a set with similar designs or related designs displayed on a single stand.