34 | Carved rock crystal brush washer group and stained ivory stand 18th century Height of vase: 15.5 cm | 6 1/8 in Vase on stand: 20 cm | 7 7/8 in Click image for full-size version This scholar’s object is created in a wonderfully exotic combination of rock crystal and ivory. The rock crystal is finely carved as a flowering magnolia amongst lingzhi – alongside a spherical water pot incised with bats and clouds (carved from the same piece of crystal). These elements are symbolic – the magnolia, lingzhi, and bat representing female beauty, long life, and happiness, respectively. The magnolia’s gnarled branch, together with the lingzhi fungi, forms an integral pierced openwork base for the group. The rock crystal rests perfectly on an original stand – a single piece of green stained ivory, finely carved in irregular form, with an openwork design of two birds in flight amongst clouds of lingzhi form, over crashing waves. Similar example: The Complete Collection of the Treasures of the Palace Museum – Treasures of Imperial Court, 2004 – no. 23 illustrates a rock crystal flower container.