This flower was originally white. Discoloration took place either through burial or through fire. In the old days houses in China were made of wood and fires occurred frequently. In the collection are several examples of flowers which were burned. Nephrite (Hetian) jade is a tough but relatively soft material and its color may change to a greyish, sometimes brown or black tint when permeated by minerals in the ground or when exposed to high temperatures. This particular flower was acquired in Hong Kong in 2026. It has a flat back and small thorns at the outer rim between the petals. It has a similar but not identical shape as Nr 65 in professor Cheng Te-k’un’s book ‘ Jade Flowers and Floral Patterns in Chinese Decorative Art’ .