A Chinese greenish-white jade plaque and belt hook, 18th century, now mounted to form a hand mirror, the plaque finely carved in low relief with a basket issuing a peach and lingzhi fungus sprigs, 10.5cm x 13cm, the belt hook finely carved with...

A Chinese greenish-white jade plaque and belt hook, 18th century, now mounted to form a hand mirror, the plaque finely carved in low relief with a basket issuing a peach and lingzhi fungus sprigs, 10.5cm x 13cm, the belt hook finely carved with dragon's head terminal and an openwork chi-long dragon to the shaft, 11.5cm long Note: Lingzhi, also known as the Ganoderma, is the sacred fungus of immortality. As it does not decay like other fungus, it has been long associated with longevity and can bestow immortality upon those who find it. In Chinese mythology, it is believed that the lingzhi fungus grew on the 'Three Islands of the Immortals'. The peach further enforces the sentiment of longevity. It is said that the jade emperor and his wife Xi Wangmu held in their palace 'The Feast of Peaches' where they fed other deities peaches in abundance, to ensure their immortal existence. This banquet was held once every four thousand years, as the peach tree put forth leaves once every thousand years, and took a further three thousand years to bear fruit.