清十八世紀 掐絲琺瑯博古圖屏

The combination of images on this plaque is representative of the New Year. Wax plum and nandina are usually combined in New Year flower arrangements, and the narcissus, which symbolizes good fortune, purity and prosperity, is forced to bloom in time for the holiday. The firecrackers (baozhu), which are set off on New Year's day, when combined with a vase (ping), which is a pun for 'peace', form the wish (Suisui ping'an), 'May there be peace year after year'. Also included are peaches (tao) and lingzhi, both symbols of longevity.