Lot 43. A blue and copper-red 'peach and bats' vase, yuhuchunping, 18th century;  48.5cm (19 1/8in) high. Estimate £30,000 - 35,000 (€36,000 - 42,000). Sold for £ 37,500 (€ 42,090). Photo Bonhams.

Painted around the body with luxuriant peaches which fade from deep red to paler tones, with deep blue foliage bearing two delicate red blossoms, amongst five auspicious stylised bats, descending from the start of the elegant neck, down the curve of the pear-shaped body.

The design of this vase is particularly auspicious, with the peaches representing long life, and the bats representing prosperity. Two similar vases, both dated to the Yongzheng period but slightly smaller than the present lot, are illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III), Hong Kong, 2000, no.193 with peaches and bats from the Qing Court Collection, and no.194 also with peaches.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014