A rare white jade double-peach carving, Qianlong. Photo: Bonhams

The stone of exceptionally fine and pure colour, carefully carved as two ripe peaches issuing from a single gnarled branch with leaves spreading and twisting and a single bat with wings outstretched straddling the two fruit, fitted box. 6.7cm (2 5/8in) wide (2). Estimate £30,000 - 50,000 (€37,000 - 61,000)

Provenance: Bluett & Sons, Ltd, London (label)
An English private collection formed by the grandfather of the present owner

Notes: he symbolism of the bat, 蝠 fu, and the peach, 壽桃 shoutao, together means 'May you possess both blessings and longevity', 福壽雙全 fushou shuangquan. This simple yet generous message is echoed in the fine and unfussy quality of the carving, complementing the superb stone; the result is an intimate and personal piece which is a delight to hold.

Compare a related carving of two peaches and a bat, but of yellow jade and slightly smaller (5cm long), illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 9: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.166.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 - http://www.bonhams.com/