The fruits surrounding this fan-shaped carving are interesting. Is the fruit with the ‘dimples’ perhaps a pineapple announcing ‘Future Prosperity’? And is the other ‘ribbed’ fruit a melon symbolizing a wish for many ‘Male descendants’? The small pine and rocks are both symbols of ‘Longevity’. We assume that the large basket in the centre is filled with peaches because the two boys on left and right hold such a fruit in their hands. The peach is also a symbol of Longevity and the boys themselves express the wish of getting many sons. Finally the fan-shape of this plaque which once graced a piece of furniture or a bed, is also auspicious. The fan is an object owned by ‘Han Zhongli’, one of the Eight Immortals who used his fan to bring the dead back to life. It is therefore considered as a symbol of Longevity. At the same time the fan (shan) symbolizes Goodness (shan). The plaque dates from the late Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912) or early Republic period (1912 - 1947). It entered our collection from Shanghai in 2008. Width 27 cm. Height 15 cm. Depth 2 cm.