Lot 273. An incised celadon-glazed dish, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735); diameter 8 1/4 in., 21 cm. Est. 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Lot sold 37,500 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the shallow sides rising to the white-glazed rim, the interior well finely incised with two large stylized bats with foliated wings and tails encircling a shou medallion, surrounded by a double-line border, the cavetto with five formal cloud scrolls, a band of flying bats and ruyi-head clouds on the reverse, applied overall with an even celadon glaze, the underside glazed white with the six-character reign mark in a double-circle.

Provenance: Edward T. Chow Collection (until 1980).
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25th November 1980, lot 97.

Note: This dish is unusual for its design and no other example appears to have been published. Compare a pair of slightly smaller dishes, similarly incised in the interior with five cloud scrolls on the well, but with the central shou character encircled by five bats flying amidst crashing waves, and a further five bats flying above frothy waves encircling the foot on the exterior, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd May 2000, lot 532. See also a celadon-glazed dish decorated with a central shou character surrounded by crested waves, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th November 1996, lot 846.

The combination of bats and shou medallion symbolize the wish for blessings and longevity, while the clouds provide an additional wish for good fortune.