Page 81 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art November 2018

The twin-fish symbol is considered to be one of the most auspicious Compare with two related jade twin-fish basins carved with double
motifs of the Eight Buddhist Emblems (bajixiang), representing freedom fish in mirror image, Qianlong, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei,
from restraint as well as the wish for marital bliss, prosperity and an illustrated by Chang Li-tuan, The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special
abundance of good luck. As fish were reputed to swim in pairs and are Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch’ing Court, Taipei,
known for their reproductive powers, the double-fish also signifies the 1997, pls.7 and 9.
joys of union and numerous offspring.
See also a related white jade ‘double-fish’ marriage bowl, Qianlong,
The 18th century saw a heightened interest in archaism encapsulated but with handles, which was sold at Christie’s London, 5 November
in the present lot. Indeed, the ridges on the present bowl were 2013, lot 328.
inspired by Western Zhou dynasty bronze gui ritual food vessels,
and the design of fish can be seen on Eastern Zhou dynasty bronze
pan vessels, with twin-fish appearing more frequently from the Song
dynasty onwards.

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