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Lot Essay
This carving is rich in auspicious symbolism. The word for fish in Chinese,yu, provides a homonym for 'abundance' while the lotus it grasps in its mouth,he, provides a rebus for 'harmony'. This carving therefore promises abundant peace.
This piece compares very closely with a jade carving of a carp amongst waves from the B.S. McElney Collection, illustrated in J. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Ming to the Ch'ing, The Asia Society, 1980, p. 103, no. 90, illustration on p. 106; and a carp amongst lotus as illustrated in B. Morgan, Chinese Jades from the Kirknorton Collection, London, 1995, no. 75.
This piece compares very closely with a jade carving of a carp amongst waves from the B.S. McElney Collection, illustrated in J. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Ming to the Ch'ing, The Asia Society, 1980, p. 103, no. 90, illustration on p. 106; and a carp amongst lotus as illustrated in B. Morgan, Chinese Jades from the Kirknorton Collection, London, 1995, no. 75.