245 - A JADE AND DIAMOND PENDANT The jade plaque carved and pierced to the front with a bat above a peach amid foliage and ruyi-shaped clouds, a bird to the lower right, the reverse similarly carved with a further bird, the surmount designed as a floral spray, pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds and accented by tapered baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approximately 1.80cts total, Chinese symbol (possibly maker's mark), length (including bale) 6.3cm

A JADE AND DIAMOND PENDANT The jade plaque carved and pierced to the front with a bat above a peach amid foliage and ruyi-shaped clouds, a bird to the lower right, the reverse similarly carved with a further bird, the surmount designed as a floral spray, pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds and accented by tapered baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approximately 1.80cts total, Chinese symbol (possibly maker's mark), length (including bale) 6.3cm Condition Report: Jade: of green hue, medium-light tone, translucent, surface in good condition, good lustre Diamonds: approx. 1.80cts, bright and lively Stamped 18K 750 for 18K gold Normal signs of wear, overall in good condition Total gross weight approx. 17g Chinese decorative art often combines wordplay and mythology to convey auspicious wishes. The bat, fú, shares its pronunciation with the word for good fortune, while the peach symbolises longevity. According to Chinese legend, Xīwángmǔ, the goddess known as the Queen Mother of the West, cultivated peaches in her celestial garden that granted immortality to those who ate them. Together, the bat and peach express the wish fú shòu shuāng quán, ‘may you enjoy both good fortune and long life’. Clouds shaped like the head of a rúyì sceptre, whose name means ‘as you wish’, extend this blessing to the fulfilment of wishes.