INTRODUCTION

Background: Detail from Peach Blossom, Fishing Boat 桃花漁艇圖冊 by Wang Hui 王翬 (1632–1717), Qing dynasty (1644–1911). This work illustrates

the lines from Tao Qian’s 陶潛 (also known as Tao Yuanming 陶淵 明) prose poem The Peach Blossom Spring 桃花源記, which tells of how the fisherman stumbled upon Spring. By kind permission of the National Palace Museum.

A trio of Floral Lattice rings – from left to right:

Floral Fangsheng 方勝 Lattice Peach Blossom ring – diamond, black diamond, black rhodium-plated gold, yellow gold.

Floral Fangsheng Lattice Chrysanthemum and Snail ring – diamond, black diamond, black rhodiumplated gold, yellow gold.

Floral Fangsheng Lattice Lily Pad and Frog ring – diamond, jadeite, black diamond, black rhodium-

plated gold, yellow gold. The frog (wa 蛙) is a symbol of fertility; it has the same pronunciation as the word for baby (wa 娃).