The famille rose motif of fruiting peach branches was first produced in the Yongzheng period; this lot is a late Qing example of this attractive design. The peach itself has long been associated in tradition with longevity and immortality, which explains the popularity of this decoration in porcelain. The bat also plays an important part in the motif, as its traditional symbolism with happiness derives from the pun on 'fu' (bat), which is a homophone of 'fu' (happiness).

(US$16,000-24,000)