Lot 19. A lime-green ground famille rose vase, meiping, Qianlong six-character seal mark in iron-red and of the period (1736-1795); 8 ½ in. (21.5 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000. Price realised GBP 87,500. © Christie’s Images Limited 2018.

The vase is brightly enamelled around the body with an elaborate lotus meander enclosing four lotus blooms growing lingzhi supporting a pomegranate, finger citrus and peach, forming the sanduo, 'three abundances'. The upper shoulder is decorated with stylised iron-red bats, below a band of stiff leaves encircling the waisted neck.

Provenance: Christie's London, 16 December 1996, lot 14
Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1563

Note: The decorative motifs on this meiping are rich with auspicious symbolism. The sanduo - pomegranate, finger citron and peach - together herald an abundance of blessings, long life and many sons. The word for finger citron (foshou) is homophonous with blessings (fu) and longevity (shuo) while the peach also symbolises longevity and the pomegranate, with its many seeds, represents many sons. The presence of bats on this vase bestows more blessings while the lotus flower is both a symbol of purity and a happy marriage.