A rare pale green jade 'double-fish' marriage bowl


18th centuryThe shallow bowl supported on four bracket feet, carved in relief with a pair of fish in mirror image to the interior, the exterior decorated with vertical ribs between two bands of ruyi-heads, beneath a band of twisted-rope design at the rim, the stone of a pale green tone with some darker inclusions, wood stand.17.5cm (6 7/8in) diam. (2).
|十八世紀 青白玉雙魚紋缽Provenance: Parouir Beglarian and by descent within the family來源： Parouir Beglarian收藏，並由後人保存迄今The twin-fish symbol is considered to be one of the most auspicious motifs of the Eight Buddhist Emblems (bajixiang), representing freedom from restraint as well as the wish for marital bliss, prosperity and an abundance of good luck. As fish were reputed to swim in pairs and are known for their reproductive powers, the double-fish also signifies the joys of union and numerous offspring.The 18th century saw a heightened interest in archaism encapsulated in the present lot. Indeed, the ridges on the present bowl were inspired by Western Zhou dynasty bronze gui ritual food vessels, and the design of fish can be seen on Eastern Zhou dynasty bronze pan vessels, with twin-fish appearing more frequently from the Song dynasty onwards.Compare with two related jade twin-fish basins carved with double fish in mirror image, Qianlong, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated by Chang Li-tuan, The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, Taipei, 1997, pls.7 and 9.See also a related white jade 'double-fish' marriage bowl, Qianlong, but with handles, which was sold at Christie's London, 5 November 2013, lot 328.