Very well carved small jade collar clasp which was used to close the high collar of a wealthy ladies dress. In the centre is a cavity which once without any doubt held a precious stone, possibly a ruby. The Lotus represents Purity, Harmony, Summer, Longevity, Elegance, Nobility and Curative power. The reason why a Lotus embodies Purity and Perfection is the fact that the beautiful flower grows in impure muddy water. The Chinese idiom for this is 出淤泥而不染 (chu yu ni er bu ran). The clasp dates from the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) and was previously in the possession of Rudolph Voll (1911-2009) who acquired it in the 1970’s in Hong Kong. For further information about Rudolph Voll see Quick Find 4167.