Property from an East Coast Private Collection
An exquisite embellished gilt silver jewelry box
19th/20th century
The side walls lobed to resemble the shape of a lingzhi head, embellished with ruby and sapphire cabochons surrounded by sea and cultured pearls representing flower heads, against a background with fine filigree work of dense leaf scrolls, the cover similarly decorated to the sides, with garnet and pearl beads, the top centered with a carved coral shou roundel within a circle of five raised bats highlighted with sapphire, between rows of additional pearl and ruby cabochons, the underside with three raised bars within a circle.
4 3/8in (11.2cm) wide; weight: 277.1g
The side walls lobed to resemble the shape of a lingzhi head, embellished with ruby and sapphire cabochons surrounded by sea and cultured pearls representing flower heads, against a background with fine filigree work of dense leaf scrolls, the cover similarly decorated to the sides, with garnet and pearl beads, the top centered with a carved coral shou roundel within a circle of five raised bats highlighted with sapphire, between rows of additional pearl and ruby cabochons, the underside with three raised bars within a circle.
4 3/8in (11.2cm) wide; weight: 277.1g
Sold for
US$ 25,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Provenance:
originally from the Joseph Levine Collection in the United Kingdom; acquired by the current owner in the 1970s
A very similarly designed and embellished gold box, dated Qianlong, was sold by Christie's, Paris, June 12, 2012, sale 3509, lot 263.
The five bats together with the character shou signifying the phrase wu fu peng shou, meaning 'may you be granted longevity and the Five Blessings'. The Five Blessings - 'wufu': longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, a peaceful death are often depicted in the homophonous rendition of five flying bats because the word for "bat" in Chinese 'fu' sounds like the word for "good fortune" or "happiness" or in this case, "blessings".
Category: Asian Art
Auction terms and conditions
Contacts
Angela Lee
Bonhams
Work
220 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco,
94103
United States
WorkTel:
+1 415 503 3358
FaxFax: +1 415 503 3300
Auction Administration
-
Asian Art