Lot Essay
The present jade ewer of very refine quality is highly unusual.
The elaborate motifs of the body and the handle are depicting two of the Eight Buddhist Emblems: the Umbrella (san), spiritual authority, reverence, purity; the Canopy (gai), royal grace.
The carp alone (liyu) is a symbol of profits and prosperity.
When struggling upstream, it symbolizes the aspirations of the scholar.
Due to the presence of two Buddhist Emblems, one can assume that the carp is a reminder of the Paired Fish (shuangyu), symbolising conjugal happiness, fertility, protection and spiritual liberation.
The elaborate motifs of the body and the handle are depicting two of the Eight Buddhist Emblems: the Umbrella (san), spiritual authority, reverence, purity; the Canopy (gai), royal grace.
The carp alone (liyu) is a symbol of profits and prosperity.
When struggling upstream, it symbolizes the aspirations of the scholar.
Due to the presence of two Buddhist Emblems, one can assume that the carp is a reminder of the Paired Fish (shuangyu), symbolising conjugal happiness, fertility, protection and spiritual liberation.