Ɏ AN INLAID IVORY 'DOUBLE FISH' PETAL-LOBED BOX AND COVER, LATE MING TO EARLIER QINGChina, 1600-1750. The eight-lobed floriform box and cover boldly carved from ivory and finely inlaid in mother-of-pearl, some of which is stained green, soapstone, tortoiseshell, and amber with two confronting Celestial eye goldfish amid algae.Provenance: The private collection of Heinrich Aigner (1919-2005). Heinrich Aigner was a southern German businessman who collected Chinese works of art, buying them directly in China and neighboring countries, all during his frequent trips to Asia in the 1960s and 1970s. Condition: Old wear, natural age cracks, slight warping, small losses to inlays with associated touchups. Fine honey-golden patina.Weight: 204.3 gDimensions: Diameter 10 cmCelestial eye goldfish or Choutengan is a double-tailed breed of fancy goldfish that has a breed-defining pair of telescope eyes which are turned upwards, pupils gazing skyward. Celestial eye goldfishes in a pond were a popular motif during the late Ming and subsequent Qing dynasty.The double fish is one of the bajixiang (eight auspicious symbols) and was introduced to China through the influence of Tibetan Buddhism in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). Not only used in Buddhist implements, but also utilized as a popular motif for works of art, they symbolize connubial bliss, abundance, and freedom from restraint.Expert's note: The motif of double fish is a very popular one, commonly encountered in Longquan celadon dishes from the Song dynasty (seefig. 1) and later in marriage bowls from the 18th century (seefig. 2). Rarely does the motif occur on scholar's objects and these examples are often extremely rare and valuable (seefig. 3). The present lot, employing a complex inlaying technique that is rare to find in Chinese works of art, and putting the double fish motif to scene in a subtle yet salient manner, appears to be unique and was most likely commissioned as a wedding or anniversary gift.Trade Certificate: In accordance with new EU regulations that went into effect in January 2022, we have applied for a certificate to sell this item within the EU. We expect the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology to issue the certificate in 3-6 weeks. The item can only be shipped / handed over once the certificate has been issued.This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.明末清初象牙開光鑲嵌雙魚蓋盒中國，1600-1750年。八瓣花形蓋盒由象牙雕刻而成，並鑲嵌螺鈿，其中一些被染成綠色，另外還有皂石、玳瑁以及琥珀，兩條相對的金魚。來源：Heinrich Aigner (1919-2005) 收藏。Heinrich Aigner曾是德國南部重要進口商，熱衷於收集中國藝術品。他在 1960 年代和 1970 年代經常去亞洲旅行，直接在中國和其他國家購買。品相：舊磨損、自然老化裂紋、輕微翹曲，鑲嵌物遺失，細膩的蜂蜜金色包漿。 重量：204.3 克 尺寸：直徑10 厘米專家注釋：雙魚圖案是中國一種非常流行的圖案，常見於宋代龍泉青釉盤（見圖1）和後來的十八世紀婚碗（見圖2）。 這個主題很少出現在文人用品上，這些例子通常非常罕見和有價值（見圖 3）。 本拍品選用中國藝術品中罕見的複雜鑲嵌工藝，將雙魚圖案巧妙地融入，顯得別具一格，極有可能是作爲結婚紀念的禮物。