Late Qing Dynasty The washer in the shape of a globular vase, carved around with five boys climbing and playing on the side, one boy holding a sheng, one holding a hand-drum, the third on climbing on another boy's shoulder holding a qin (chime), the stone of pale lavender and apple-green hues suffused with milky mottling, stand, box 12.5cm (5in) high. (3).Footnotes清晚期 紫羅蘭翡翠五子登科洗 Instruments held by the boys, sheng, qing and bolang gu were three of the earliest musical instruments in China. However, they also had been motifs in art representing auspicious meanings such as peace, longevity and numerous sons. Five boys carved on this washer represents the rebus 'wuzi dengke' or 'May all the sons attain highest honours in the Imperial examination'. 紫羅蘭翡翠雕作一大收腹圓缸，缸壁上下圓雕五個童子，一童子伏於一持笙童子身後，一持鼓，一持磬攀於一童子肩頭，石透淡紫色，間以青綠翠色。 五子寓意五子登科，所持笙、磬及鼓為中國最古老的樂器，後世多做為裝飾元素，充滿吉慶、長生、多子的寓意。