In the olden days, these wall plaques were hung in pairs together in the formal "living room/parlor" for guests to appreciate their simple elegance. The frames are intricately carved from old growth rosewood ebony wood with a background of black lacquer. The pieces are inlaid with antique green or white nephrite jade ornamental carvings, along with other semi-precious stones such as carnelian agate, coral, lapis lazuli, etc.

Each piece is designed and contained in the frame to create unique individual carved pieces. Matched pairs are quite rare today. Many pieces of this kind have been absorbed by private collectors or have been placed in museums. Craftsman able to produce these wonderful works of art are becoming as rare as the pieces themselves. Soon this will be a lost art.

Many of the jade inset pieces are worth more as jewelry pendants than as part of a plaque. 'Jade' often communicates a sense of mystery.

In Chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy, and immortality. For millennia, jade has been an intimate part of the lives of Chinese of all ranks and classes. It is viewed as the most valuable of all precious stones.

Because of the rarity and value, these wall plaques are truly a wise investment for any collector and lover of fine craftsmanship.

- by Frank Jang, Asian art and furniture historian and importer

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