China, 1820-1850. The larger dish with a lobed rim, each dish painted in iron red with two bats amid stylized clouds in the center and stylized Chinese characters along the rim. Each with a Daoguang mark to the base. (2)
The Chinese word for bat (Fu) is homophonous with the word for luck. Two bats therefore signify ‘double luck’ and are a common wedding symbol in China.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities, the smaller dish with a miniscule chip to the rim. Provenance: German private collection.
Weight: 556 g (total) Dimensions: Diameter 14.3 cm (the smaller dish) and 23.2 cm (the larger dish)