Paktong and copper drum-shaped opium serving dish engraved with Plum flowers. The five petals of the Plum flower symbolize the Five Blessings, Old age, Health, Wealth, Love of Virtue and a Peaceful death. This dish was used to offer fixed quantities of opium to guests or to the customers of an opium den. The material from which it is made, Paktong (白銅), literally means ‘White copper’ and was used to imitate sterling silver. In fact it contains about 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc and no silver at all. It was popular in China during the Qing period (1644 – 1912) before it became fashionable in the West. The serving dish dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Height 3.0 cm. Diameter 2.9 cm.