A large Chinese blue and white porcelain fishbowl dating from the Kangxi period. The exterior depicts swimming fish. Dimensions are: 19 inches tall X 22 inches in diameter, 48.3 cm X 55.9 cm. All measurements are approximate. Condition: There are minor glaze skips and glaze defects with some age wear. Overall good condition. A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission. Provenance: From a prominent Chicago, Illinois collection. Notes: This masterpiece of the Kangxi period is sturdily potted with rounded sides rising towards the lipped rim. Blue carp and other fish swim along the outer wall of this giant porcelain fishbowl, weaving between fronds of water weeds. The technique employed in the application of the cobalt glaze is particularly apt for this aquatic scene, as it appears to heighten the illusion of peering beneath the surface of a rippling pool to view the fish in their habitat. This tongue-in-cheek design alludes to the bowl's purpose: it is a fishbowl depicting fish, who stare out at you as you look at them. Overall, the character of this carefully crafted fishbowl is buoyant, surprising when one considers its overwhelming girth and weight. Perhaps more than the lively decoration, it is this size which contributes to its value and rarity.康熙青花瓷器以胎、釉精細，青花鮮艷，造型多樣，紋飾優美而久負盛名。造型硬挺、爽利、飽滿有力，大件器皿更是氣魄雄偉。康熙青花瓷器的釉色色澤鮮明青翠，濃淡相間，層次分明。明清之際景德鎮禦窯生產的魚紋瓷種類繁多，最為引人註目。清代制瓷業達到了鼎盛，裝飾紋樣不僅繼承了前朝的優秀傳統，而且有所發展和創新，魚紋瓷的品種、數量和魚紋的組合都超越前朝。本品形制巨大而氣勢磅礡，唇口，束頸，深弧腹及底內收，下承圈足，足底露胎。造型飽滿端莊，青花發色濃妍奪目，胎質厚重堅致，釉色滋潤泛青，布局層次清晰，口沿以卷草紋裝飾，缸身上下繪蓮瓣錢紋為輔助裝飾，規整疏朗，而主題畫面則為鯖魚、鲌魚、鯉魚、鱖魚四種吉祥魚飾，輔以水藻紋，是為最具表現力的」滿池嬌「裝飾，寓意「清白禮貴」，更是借魚來表達崇高的儒學思想。本件作品從發色及器型上來看，是一件典型的康熙青花官窯器，是藏家不可多得的擺設佳品。Similar examples of fish bowls of various sizes are currently housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing under accession numbers 00175974 and 00157044. The object under accession number 00175974 is also illustrated in "The Palace Museum's Collection of Blue and White Porcelains from Kangxi Period of Qing Dynasty II," (Beijing: The Forbidden City Publishing House, 2016), 544, item 261 (see fig. 3-5). A similar iron red and underglaze blue fish bowl was sold by Christie's New York on September 14, 2016, as lot 855.北京故宮博物院類似藏品眾多。見館藏清康熙時期魚紋缸，編號新00175974(fig. 2-4)，出版於《故宮博物院藏清康熙青花瓷器·下》，北京：故宮出版社，2016年，544頁，圖261；館藏清康熙釉裏紅海水魚紋魚缸，編號故00157044(fig. 1)。另見佳士得紐約2016年09月拍賣，編號855。 High resolution photos can be found here.