Lot 55. A white jade carving of 'bat and coin', late 18th-early 19th century; 5.5cm wide. Sold for US$12,750 (Estimate US$6.000 - 8.000). © Bonhams 2001-2023

The bat with softly contoured wings wrapped around a large pierced 'coin' with a 'wan' in the square reserve, the mutton-fat white stone of even tone highly polished, fitted wood stand.

Provenance: From the Collection of William Drummond (1893-1980), Fife, Scotland
Woolley & Wallis, 19 May 2010, lot 196.

Note: The small jade carving delivers an auspicious message 福在眼前, "prosperity forever before your eyes." The bat (fu) pairs with the wan emblem is a homonym for wan fu, a greeting of "ten thousand times of prosperity." The wan emblem in the square reserve (yan) of a coin (qian) is a homonym of yan qian, "right in front of one's eyes."

Bonhams. J. J. Lally & Co. Fine Chinese Works of Art, New York, March 20, 2023