Small jade collar clasp which was used to close the high collar of a ladies dress. It was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and has, as many things in Chinese art, a special symbolic meaning. Fish (Yu in Chinese) sounds like the word for Abundance and Affluence and two fish lead to the pun 'May you have a happy marriage, many children and lots of good luck’ (shuangyu jiqing), The centre is formed by a Lotus blossom which symbolizes the wish: May you live in Affluence Year after Year. In the Nanjing Municipal Museum is a gold collar clasp which is very similar to this jade one (See last photo).