White Jade Folded-branch Peony Accessory

This accessory is a single peony flower and folded branch caved from Hetian seed jade. This object draws on the traditional "folded branch" (折枝) Chinese painting style used for paintings of flowers and birds. Only the flowers and branches or stalks folding down from the trunk of the tree are carved, so that the entire object is not shown. This style of painting began in the mid-Tang dynasty and became widespread during the Song dynasty.