Lot 3641. An exquisitely carved white jade marriage bowl, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 9 1/8 in. (23.1 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 3,000,000 - HKD 4,000,000. Price Realized HKD 4,220,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011. 

The bowl raised on a short circular foot, the rounded sides carved in low relief to either side with a stylised lotus spray bearing three blooms, the central flower supporting a double Xi, 'Happiness', character, the scrolling stems extending around the sides and ending beneath the two large butterfly handles flanking the bowl, carved in the round with wings spread over the everted rim, each suspending a loose ring, the interior carved in high relief with a central roundel depicting a pair of catfish swimming around a beribboned musical chime, box. 

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong during the 1950s. 

Note: Bowls of this form carved with auspicious motifs are commonly known as 'marriage bowls' because their auspicious imagery usually alludes to felicitous wishes for a happy married life but the motifs vary greatly and are sometimes more appropriate as birthday wishes such as those found on the bowls in the current sale, lot 3599.

The present example belongs to a group which can unequivocally be referred to as marriage bowls. The two fish swimming around the stone chime refers to the double fish, Shangyu and the stone chime, Qing, together forming the phrase Jiqing youyu, 'May there be a superabundance of auspicious happiness' and Shuangyu jiqing, conjugal bliss. The two facing butterflies forming the handles signify 'Joyful encounter', Xi xiangfeng, and by extension marital happiness. The lotus flowers, Hehua or Lianhua are puns for harmony He and successive generations Lian. All of these symbols, together with double Xi characters, would have made this bowl a highly auspicious and appropriate wedding gift.