Silver–plated opium box decorated with engraved garden scenes on both sides. On one side is a Boy symbolizing a wish to get many Sons, feeding a Crane (Longevity) from a Basket (Longevity & Abundance). He is standing under a Pine tree (Longevity). The other side shows one of the Eight Immortals named Zhongli Quan with his fan which also symbolizes Longevity. The short round sides of the box are decorated with an elongated Shou character (changjiao shou) which leads to a pun ‘May you have a very long life (changshou)’ because in China anything that is long is linked to Longevity. Furthermore there is a depiction of a Bat on the red copper lid which translate to ‘Blessings & Riches’. And to top it off the scenes are bordered by stylized Clouds which symbolize the Granting of All Wishes. The materials from which the body of the silver-plated box is made are Paktong (see QF 1465) and copper. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Height 3.7 cm. Width 4.1 cm. Depth 1.5 cm. Weight 40 grams.