19th century
The plaque is in the form of a rectangular lock, suo 鎖, surrounded by pierced archaistic dragons at the upper ends.
One side is carved in relief with a rock rising from crested waves below overhanging pine tree, a bat and swirling clouds. The reverse is carved with four archaic characters reading shou bi nan shan which may be translated as 'May your longevity last as long as the southern mountain'.
Length 8.3 cm
When an infant is 100 days old he will often get a protective amulet in the shape of a lock. This is to secure him to his family and protect him from harm and evil spririts, and bless him with good luck, longevity and a high rank after passing the imperial examination.
The locks can be made of gold, silver or jade.
A bat, fu, 蝠 is pronounced the same as fu 福 meaning 'good luck' and is therefore symbolic of 'blessings'. A bat hovering above a mountain or rock and sea can be pronounced as shoushan fu hai (May you be blessed by the mountain of longevity and sea of blessings).
The pine, song 松, is a symbol of longevity as it is always green even in winter.
WF 100 十九世紀 碧玉鎖珮
時代：19世紀。
特徵：碧玉質，全器琢成螭龍紋方形鎖，一面浮雕蝙蝠、垂松與波浪岩石。背面浮雕四字「壽比南山」。
尺寸：長8.3公分。
