Yang Boda discusses the diversity of such 'potted landscapes' or 'potted flowers' in Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Hong Kong, 1987, p. 55. All media could be employed, organic or inorganic, to recreate miniature plants and rockeries 'for the viewing enjoyment of the Emperor and his concubines living within the halls of the palace complex.' The choice of subject usually represented some kind of auspicious meaning. In this case, lingzhi is a wish-fulfilling symbol as well as a symbol of longevity.

Very similar stems of champlevé enamelled gilt-bronze lingzhi can be seen growing from a pair of cloisonné enamel jardinieres sold in these Rooms, 28 April 1996, lot 22. See also the hardstone-inlaid stems in combination with wannianqing growing from one of a pair of red lacquer jardinieres dated to the Qianlong period, from the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in Art Treasures from Birthday Celebrations at the Qing Court, Hong Kong. An enamelled and hardstone-inlaid gilt-copper vase of gu form containing a hardstone-inlaid and gilt-copper lingzhi spray is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, included in the Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, Taiwan, 1994, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 104.