Heitan white jade lidded box, Qing dynasty, with Qianlong seal

Magnificent carved jade box, white in color and with a smooth milky finish. It has an elongated lobed floor in the center with slightly rounded edges resting on four narrow feet. On both sides are two curved handles meticulously carved in the shape of a bat with outstretched wings and a curled tail. The words bat and fortune are homophones in the Chinese language, which is why this animal has a great significance and is usually represented in ceramics, jade or painting. 

The piece is crowned with a concave and flat lid, also lobed following the shape of the vessel, adorned at the top with two narrow handles ending in the shape of a ruyi, which are joined in the center and from which two mobile rings hang. An incised four-character mark “乾隆年制” is shown on the base. The piece is arranged on a carved wooden base. 

Jade size: 5.7 x 8.7 x 17 cm

Weight jade 435 g