White jade figurine ‘Bat (福)’, Qing dynasty

An elegantly carved jade figurine with a pristine white colour and translucent finish. It shows the image of a beautiful bat with extended wings and a long tail that ends in a spiral, as do the thin front legs. The animal has a serene expression, with a broad muzzle and rounded eyes, ending in oval ears. It is arranged on a traditional coin, forming a traditional composition in Chinese culture known as ‘福在眼前’.

The terms ‘fortune’ and ‘bat’ are homophones in Mandarin Chinese, which is why this animal, together with a coin, is a symbol of happiness and wealth. Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) or later.

Size: 5.7 x 1.6 x 5.6 cm   

Weight: 54.9 g

Provenance:

- Current private collection, London, United Kingdom.