Spinach-green jade ‘Poem and Bats’ box, Qing dynasty

Made of beautifully carved jade of an intense spinach-green colour, with flecks of darker tonality. It has a flat circular body covered by a lid of the same morphology. The perimeter is simply decorated with two incised fretwork borders, while on the lid there is a central medallion, in relief, with the traditional Chinese character of double happiness or ‘囍’, surrounded by large bats with outstretched wings against a background of geometric patterns. At the base, a long incised poem is arranged, covered in gold ink, next to which is arranged the mark ‘乾隆御製’ with two seals. It shows age wear and is arranged on a carved wooden base. 

Height of jade: 5.2 cm; Diameter of jade: 13.5 cm

Jade weight: 830 g