Plate

This plate made up of jade and immaculately inlaid with precious stones and gold wire shows the skill involved in delicately inlaying simple utilitarian objects like this plate. Jade has been used in many countries as a popular medium for decorative arts as it has an internal quality of being translucent and allowing light to pass through it. This quality lends jade as one of the best materials for inlay work as the precious stones appear luminescent when inlaid in jade. In this piece apart from the inlaid stones, the gold wire enhances the form and finish of flowers and leaves that feature in the motifs.

Jade is a rare stone that has been historically used in China and India. One kind of Jade also called Jadeite It is available in various colours of pink, white and violet whereas the other more commonly available Jade also called Nephrite is usually available in dark and light green, black and brown colours. This particular plate is perhaps carved out of Nephrite which was commonly available in India and can achieve a high polish.