Chinese Tang Dynasty Period, Quatre foil flori form Silver Crane plate. The Silver potted in shallow vessel form, with broad wide central interior, rounded cavetto gently tapering to open wide, a slightly flared lip and quatre foil form lip, raised with round shallow draft. The center interior carved with flying two crane among flowers blooms, fresh leaves, thrashing wavy Lishui water, and enclosed with repeating thick point created oval medallion. The outer medallion carved with abundant flowers blooms interspersed interlocking foliage, and the upper mouth rim with thrashing wavy Lishui water. The graceful crane is a common emblem in paintings. The name guan is used for both storks and cranes and the same symbolism applies to both The crane symbolizes longevity as well as wisdom. It is fabled that when a crane reaches 600 years old it no longer needs to eat. It stands as a homophone for he peace, harmony. An embroidery of a crane formed part of the regalia of the top rank of Imperial officials. Guan sounds the same as guan official and guan hat, first place so can symbolize the wish for promotion to a high official position. A crane is often portrayed with a tortoise longevity or a deer longevity and riches. A stork often accompanies the Queen Mother of the West. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design.Height:1.5 inWidth: 5 inDepth: 3.5 in