B42

Chalcedony, russet colour with darker contrasting inclusions that have been cleverly accentuated by minimal carving to represent five bats and a double gourd, the reverse also with a bat.

Chinese, 1750 - 1860
Stopper: coral on a blue collar
Provenance: Hugh Moss Ltd, 1974
Height: 5.5cm

The bat is the symbol of good fortune as the word for bat fu is phonetically identical to the word for good fortune (fu). Five bats together represent the Five Blessings - a long life, riches, health, love of virtue and a natural death. The double gourd is a replica of heaven and earth and its shape unites the two.