A Fine and Rare Chinese Lapis Lazuli Oval Bowl or Brush washer

A Fine and Rare Chinese Lapis Lazuli Oval Bowl or Brush washer, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, 13.6cm. The bowl with an undulating rim, the sides finely carved with a continuous band of ten lingzhi fungi issuing from a single tuft above which a bat flies. The base with three simple stump feet. The stone of a good colour and speckled with gold. Provenance The Hon. Mrs Mary Anna Marten OBE, Crichel House, Dorset. Purchased from John Sparks Ltd, 128 Mount Street, 7th June 1961 for £500. Catalogue Note The lingzhi fungus has great medicinal qualities and was believed to be able to revive the dead, thus it is called the fungus of immortality. It is found in every medium in Chinese art. Ling is also a pun for 'age'. Together with the bat, fu, it can be interpreted as 'may your mind be clear when blessings arrive'.