A DUAN STONE ‘BAT AND LINGZHI’ WASHER, QING DYNASTYChina, 1644-1912. Superbly carved, the foliate lobed washer supported on four feet, three in the form of lingzhi, all growing from an open worked gnarled stem bearing further lingzhi to one side, and one in the form of a swooping bat, the base further with large scrolling designs. Note how the lapidary has used the various natural colors of the stone to enhance his design.Provenance: Old private collection in the United Kingdom, thence by descent within the family to the present owner.Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, few minuscule nicks, and occasional light scratches.Weight: 109.2 gDimensions: Length 9.6 cmAuction result comparison:Type: Distantly relatedAuction: Christie’s New York, 15 March 2017, lot 522Price: USD 187,500 or approx. EUR 226,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A large carved duan 'lotus leaf' ink stone, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)Expert remark: Compare the related lobed form, and stone. Note the size (24.5 cm)清代端石蝙蝠靈芝筆洗中國，1644-1912年。端石精雕細琢，筆洗呈葉瓣狀，四足中的三足為靈芝，一足為蝙蝠，綫條流暢，靈芝如祥雲般騰升而起，蔓延于外壁。巧妙利用端石的自然顏色來，體現了各種紋飾的獨特性。來源：英國私人收藏，在同一家族保存至現任藏家。 品相：狀況極好，輕微磨損、磕損和劃痕。 重量：109.2 克 尺寸：長 9.6 厘米 拍賣結果比較： 形制：些微相近 拍賣：紐約佳士得，2017年3月15日，lot 522 價格：USD 187,500（相當於今日EUR 226,500） 描述：清代端石荷蟹硯 專家評論：比較相近荷葉型和石質。請注意尺寸 (24.5厘米)。