Plate depicting an elder watching a herd boy

Exquisite lacquerware with mother-of-pearl decoration was highly regarded among the Qing elites, because it requires a lot of time and skill to inlay or appliqué miniature speckles of mother-of-pearl and create elaborate scenes on the lacquer surface. While these plates are part of a set of six, each illustrates a unique scene that implies special meanings or wishes. The left plate  [B60M429] depicts an old man looking at a young herd boy on a water buffalo, reflecting the popular idea of seeking pleasures in country life. The right plate [B60M430]  shows a graceful lady carrying a zither in a fancy garden, suggesting the desire for an elegant lifestyle in the company of music and beauty.