A large imperial white jade plaque Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

of rectangular form, carved in shallow relief with four characters written in zhuan 'seal' script, reading changyi zisun, (may your children and grandchildren have long and prosperous lives)  the reverse inscribed with an imperial poem written in lishu 'clerical' script, all below stylized ruyi clouds at the top, the stone of even white tone, stand

Christie's London, 7th June 1993, lot 168.

Apart from 3 old nicks to the edges, the overall condition is very good. The stone is of even white tone.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The flawless high-quality of the present stone is accentuated through its elegant and minimal inscription. The swirling ruyi-shaped clouds, symbolic of longevity, reiterate the four-character inscription, chang yi zi sun (may you enjoy a long life and many descendants in positions of officialdom).

Although plaques were frequently carved with auspicious phrases in the form of a seal, examples decorated in zhuan 'seal' script are rare; for a slightly earlier plaque with a related ruyi cloud frame and a four-character seal mark on one side, which reads xianzhi zhuzhou ('the fairy of zhi offers his congratulations and wishes you long life'), and a narcissus spray on the other, see one from the Zhirouzhai Collection, included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 200b, and sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2008, lot 2347.

The design of the frame is in the style of the Ming sign boards that were carried into the Qing period. Compare an example of a cartouche with this style of clouds at the end of the 1498 edition of the play Xi xuanji (The Story of the West Chamber) illustrated ibid., p. 205.