Details
A LARGE SPINACH-GREEN JADE MARRIAGE BOWL
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

The interior finely carved in medium relief with two carp swimming in mutual pursuit around a central chrysanthemum, the exterior with a frieze of lotus scroll, the intricately carved chrysanthemum-sprig handles suspending loose rings, the base further embellished in low relief with lotus scrolls, supported on four evenly divided lingzhi feet, the stone of characteristic semi-transluscent mossy green tone with paler and darker mottling
11 7/8 in. (30 cm.) across handles

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Lot Essay

With beautifully carved catfish swimming lazily around a central chrysanthemum flower on its interior, an elegant scrolling lotus on the exterior and engagingly carved chrysanthemum-sprigs as handles, this spinach-green jade 'marriage' bowl perfectly expresses the wishes of a newly married couple. The lotus (he) provides a rebus for harmony, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity, and the pair of catfish (nian nian) provide a rebus suggesting 'year after year'. As if harmonious long life and happiness year after year were not enough for the fortunate recipients, the word 'fish' in Chinese (yu) also provides a homonym for 'abundance', so the bowl also promises them prosperity.

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