Length: 1.1 m Width: 0.75 m Height: 1.68 m

The gift was presented by the People’s Government of Anhui Province to celebrate Macao’s return to the People’s Republic of China. It is composed of a mirror and a carved root base. The mirror is 1.999 metres in circumference, symbolising the handover year of 1999. The embossments on the mirror depict a Greeting Pine on Huangshan Mountain, clouds, skyscrapers, and a bridge. The Greeting Pine and the clouds represent the Anhui province, while the skyscrapers and the bridge represent Macao. The six clouds represent the celebrations and joy of the 60 million people in the province at Macao’s return.

The bridge in the middle holds connecting Macao to the motherland and signifies the friendship between Macao and Anhui. The outer circle of the mirror is decorated with lotus patterns and the Chinese characters meaning ‘Returning year of 1999’ and ‘Celebrating Macao’s return’. The base, carved from root, symbolises Macao’s return to its root, the Chinese mainland.

Root sculptures can be made from roots of trees or bamboos. It is a special form of folk art that preserves the features of the source material. Root sculptures from different regions vary in style, and this sculpture exemplifies the traditional elegant style of works from Anhui province. Crowned with a mirror symbolising reunion, this gift expresses the joy of Anhui Province people at Macao’s return.