KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARKS IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE WITHIN DOUBLE CIRCLES AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)

Kangxi doucai cups of this design are very rare, especially examples retaining their original covers. A similar Kangxi-marked doucai cup and cover, with the same bat and peach design on the bowl and the same bands and pomegranate-form finial on the cover, was sold at Sotheby’s London, 13 November 2002, lot 137. The same pattern can be found on Daoguang-period cups decorated in iron red enamels, such as an example from the Simon Kwan Collection illustrated in Imperial Porcelain of the Late Qing, Hong Kong, 1983, p. 83, no. 68.

The imagery of five bats symbolizes the Five Blessings, including longevity, wealth, health and love of virtue. Five bats are associated with the saying wu fu lin men, which may be translated as 'may the Five Blessings arrive at your door'. The combination of peaches and bats conveys the blessing fu shou shuang quan, meaning 'may you have both happiness and longevity'. The pomegranate-form finials on the covers relay an additional wish for long life.