Silver-plated opium dross container decorated with Mountains (Longevity) and a large House (Wealth). There’s also an inscription ‘Ian Gui Xiang Ying’ (蘭桂香迎) which we have not yet been able to unravel as well as a maker’s name Zhu Sheng Ke (竹生刻). The lid is decorated with four Bats (fu) and a Coin (qian) which is a pun ‘Blessings before your eyes’ (fuzai yanqian). The word for Bat (fu) refers to Blessings, the word Coin (qian) sounds like ‘Before’ (qian) and the square opening in the coin is called an ‘Eye’ (yan). The holes in the coin were used to scrape of dross (remains of used opium) from the bowl scraper (see QF 7745) and the opium needle. The body of this silver-plated container is made of Paktong (see QF 1465). It dates from the late Qing period (1644 – 1912). Height 3.5 cm. Diameter 3.9 cm. Weight 38 grams.