Yellow jade plaque, Qing dynasty, 19th century

Yellow jade 黃玉 (Huáng yù) from Hetian carved on both sides. Meticulously executed with rectangular shape, irregular profile and openwork details. The frame depicts archaic dragon patterns, and in the centre are two characters written in different spellings.

Fasting plates or letters '齋戒牌' (zhāijiè pái) were used during the Ming and Qing dynasties to announce fasting rituals. They could be made of different materials: wood, ivory or jade, depending on the rank of the wearer. 

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980.

Size: 6.8 x 0.8 x 4.6 cm; Weight: 65 g