A WHITE JADE 'BAT AND SHOU SYMBOL' WASHER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the lobed sides of quatrefoil section, supported on four small slightly flared ruyi feet, the rim finely carved with a bat spreading its wings grasping a beribonned shou character in its mouth, the character carved in openwork extending the width of the vessel, further flanked by a pair of writhing chilong clambering on the exterior walls and forming the handles, the smoothly polished stone of even milky-white colour with a few icy inclusions

Christie’s London, 4^th December 1995, lot 272.
Christie’s Hong Kong, 26^th April 1999, lot 509.

The washer is in overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The quality of this stone, skilfully accentuated through the finely finished plain surfaces, perfectly complements the auspicious wishes represented through the bat, shou character and knot. Animals and plants whose names were homophonous to words with favourable meanings were commonly employed in Qing decorative arts, for example, the character for bats, hu, is homophonous with the word for blessings, and the knot represents continuity. Vessels adorned with this type of decoration were often presented as gifts on the occasion of a marriage.

 

See a similarly decorated marriage bowl of peach form, with a musical chime and double shou character bridging the vessel, flanked with bat handles, formerly on loan to the Percival David Foundation, illustrated in Colin Sheaf, ‘Chinese Jade Colloquy. Percival David Foundation’, Arts of Asia, November/December, 1995, p. 74, pl. 49; and another sold at Christie’s London, 6^th June 1994, lot 264. Compare a brushwasher of lobed form and ringed bat handles, but flanking the width rather than the length of the vessel, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages, vol. 12, Hong Kong, 1997, pl. 72.