According to professor James Watt, expert on antique jades, this kind of object with its typical ‘cloud-topped’ frame resembling a Ming-signboard, dates to the late Ming period (1368 – 1644AD). Although some other experts give these plaques a middle Qing date, we tend to believe that James Watt is right. It has caught our attention that some of the large flower-discs in the Lowlands-collection show top quality carving on mediocre quality jade. Natural cracks in the stone are often a rule and no exception. The material of this particular plaque shows natural inclusions (white spots – see photo 3) and in our opinion this spotted material would never have been used during the Qing period for such top-class workmanship because the supply of top quality white jade was plentiful then. The carving of this plaque is stunning. A chrysanthemum and a peony are depicted on one side and four characters 'Fu Gui Chang Shou' (富贵长寿) meaning 'Longevity and Prosperity' on the other. The chrysanthemum (juhua 菊花) is a symbol of longevity because of its health-giving properties. The peony (mudan 牧丹) is also called the ‘flower of wealth and honor’ (fuguihua 富貴花). The plaque came from a private collection in Hong Kong in 1992. Height 5.4 cm. Width 4.7 cm. Thickness 0.58 cm. Weight 34.3 grams.