ProvenanceSotheby's London, 13 July 2006, lot 765

NoteThe current lot is richly decorated with the auspicious 'hundred deer' motif. The word 'deer' translates as lu and the peaches represent longevity or shou; together they form the auspicious pun lushou which literally means 'fortune and longevity'. Furthermore, the large bulbous vessel with wide waist suggests generosity and abundance of wealth; the precious lingzhi within the scenery, which has medicinal properties, also represents long life.

For further reference, see a pair of 'hundred deer' vases dated to the Qianlong period in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Stunning Decorative Porcelain from the Ch'ien-lung Reign, Taipei, 2008, pp.156-157, no.51. Another 'hundred deer' vase in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, is illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty. The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p.290.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 24 Nov 2013, 14:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY