Lot 392. A famille-rose 'Hundred bats' vase, Guangxu mark and period (1875-1908). Height 13 1/4 in., 33.7 cm. Estimate 8,000 — 12,000 USD. Lot sold 35,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's

with a broad pear-shaped body rising to a cylindrical, slightly tapered neck, painted overall with iron-red bats flitting amid multi-colored clouds, between a lappet band around the foot and a ruyi band around the rim, six-character mark in iron red.

Note: Technical innovation and finesse in porcelain production were both expected and encouraged during the Qianlong emperor's reign. Therefore it is not surprising that revolving vases appear to have been introduced during this time, under the supervision of Tang Ying, the ingenious supervisor of the imperial factory, who raised the standard of Jingdezhen porcelain to its highest level. Revolving vases such as the present lot are amongst the most complicated porcelain produced in Jingdezhen and would have been the perfect demonstration of the technical virtuosity of the craftsmen at Jingdezhen.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 11 september 2012