A LOBED FAMILLE-ROSE 'FLORAL' ABSTINENCE PLAQUE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of quatrelobed form, one side centred with a vertical oval raised gilt band enclosing the characters zhaijie ('abstinence'), surrounded by a composite floral scroll delicately rendered in the famille-rose palette against a white ground, the reverse similarly rendered save for the central cartouche, inscribed in Manchu script with bolgomi karga ('purity charm [pendant]'), all within gilt and moulded sides, pierced vertically through the centre with an aperture

The term zhaijie refers to a ritual cleansing of the body from within, whereby one abstains from meat, intoxicants, intimate relations and the five strong smelling vegetables.