The gentleman in the centre of this counter uses a parasol against the burning sun and holds a fan behind his back for additional cooling. He is apparently unsure what the man with the lance is going to do. Is he a guard? Or a robber! The man on the left looks with interest at what will happen. The background consists of houses and trees. On the back side of this counter is a roundel with fine back hatching and the ornate initials ‘MAW’. The roundel is flanked by two birds, houses and trees. The intricately fretted border is decorated with squirrels and grapes as well as two butterflies. Squirrels and grapes have a hidden meaning to the Chinese. Squirrels get a lot of offspring and grapes grow in large clusters which implies a wish for many generations of sons and grandsons. The two butterflies symbolize a happy marriage. The counter dates from the Daoguang period (道光 1820 – 1850). Length 7.2 cm. Height 2.8 cm. Thickness 0.23 cm.