Silver tongue scraper which is engraved with a flower on a long stem. The five petals of the flower point at a plum blossom which symbolizes the Five Blessings, Old age, Wealth, Health, Love of virtue and a peaceful death. The long stem is however confusing as plum blossoms have short stems and grow on branches. The scraper served to clean the tongue of its owner and was also used to look into his or her throat. It dates from the end of the Qing (1644 – 1912) to the early Republic period (1912 – 1947). Length 12.6 cm. Width 3.0 cm. Depth 0.1 cm.