An Unusual Yellow Hardstone 'WuFu' Water Coupe Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

of irregular pebble-form, the exterior densely carved in high-relief with five bats among scrolling clouds, the stone of a slightly mottled translucent amber-yellow

small shallow flake to edge of one cloud at rim, not readilly visible, a few scattered minor abrasions to extremities of carving, non-disfiguring
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The all-over motif of bats among dense scrollwork within an irregular 'boulder'-form is a visual allusion to the famed Yuan period jade wine basin in the Qing Court collects ion, Beijing and the later basins it inspired, which depict dragons writhing among boldly scrolling clouds and waves, energizing the irregular surface of the stone. 

Hardstone water coupes of this irregular form, type of decoration, and small scale are very unusual. Compare a yellow agate example carved with dragons among cloud scrolls sold in our London rooms, 14th December 1976, lot 226. Compare also another agate example, carved with a dragon pursuing a flaming jewel, also sold in our London rooms, 11th June 1974, lot 230. 

There does not appear to be another example of this pebble-type coupe published depicting the wufu ('five bats') among clouds. The five bats represent the rebus referring to the five blessings of health, wealth, longevity, love of virtue and a peaceful death; bats among clouds represent the rebus fuyun ('good fortune').