Lot 3028. A rare pair of famille rose ‘fruit’ dishes, Yongzheng six-character marks in underglaze blue within double circles and of the period (1723-1735), 7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) diam., boxes. Estimate HKD 2,400,000 - HKD 3,500,000 (USD 309,724 - USD 451,681) © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

Each dish is finely potted with gently rounded sides rising from a short foot ring and superbly enamelled in varying shades including pink, green, brown, yellow, white and black. One dish is decorated with three peaches growing on a gnarled branch, the other with two pomelos opposite a falling blossom.

Provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s London, 14 May 2008, lot 706

Note: In China, peach is the symbol of extended long life through its association with Shoulao, the Star God of Longevity, and also through the association with the peaches of longevity grown in the orchard of the Queen Mother of the West, whereas pomelo, with its pronunciation similar to the word ‘to have’ (you), represents the wish ‘May you have everything you need.’ While peach has been long used as an auspicious motif on porcelain and other works of art, it is extremely rare to find dishes or other vessels decorated with pomelo.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale / Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 31 May 2017, Convention Hall