QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

The three types of fruiting branches are combined to form the ‘Three Abundances’, sanduo, and together with the bats they form the rebus fushou sanduo and symbolise the wish for numerous sons, a long life and blessings. In addition, the combination of the bats and the rock emerging from the sea forms the additional rebus furu donghai, ‘May you be blessed by the mountain of longevity and sea of blessings’. The symbolism on the boxes indicating perhaps, that these boxes would have been intended as a birthday present for the Emperor.