Lot 1585. A fine pair of small doucai 'Hundred bats' bowls, Yongzheng six-character marks within double circles and of the period (1723-1735); 3 7/8 in. (9.9 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price Realized HKD 1,027,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008

Each with thinly potted rounded sides, finely painted on the exterior with twelve bats picked out in shades of iron-red, in flight amidst scrolling clouds, picked out in delicate shades of blue, aubergine, yellow and iron-red, all within single-line borders in underglaze blue, box.(2).

Previously sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 April 2002, lot 619.

Note: Compare the near identical pair of bowls from the Paul and Helen Bernat Collection, sold in Hong Kong, 15 November 1988, lot 1; and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 20 March 1990, lot 656. Another pair was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 April 1996, lot 757; while bowls of the same design but painted with iron-red bats amidst underglaze-blue clouds was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1980, lot 126, from the Edward T. Chow Collection.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale including Elegance and Artistry. Treasures from a Private Collection, Hong Kong, 27 May 2008