A fine spinach jade marriage bowl - Qianlong

Superbly carved in relief on the low-set body with interlocking branches of lingzhi and peonies centered on a single bat and chime pendant at the front and back and in the central well with a medallion of verdant lingzhi and peonies, set off by paired handles carved as lotus blossoms suspending single rings all carved from the even colored moss green stone. 30cm (12in) diam. Estimate: HK$200,000 - 250,000, $26,000 - 32,000  - Non adjugé.

Footnote: The peony is also called fugui hua, the flower of wealth and honour, while the lingzhi symbolises longevity. Brought together in the central motif, they express the wish for wealth, honour and longevity. In addition, the word for bat is homophonous with the word for good fortune, the word for chime is a homophone for celebration, and the word for lotus sounds the same as the word for year. Put together, these elements form the phrase fuqing nian nian, 'may you have years and years of fortunate celebrations'.

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