Lot 41. A white and russet jade 'Twin-fish and Bajixiang' 'marriage' bowl, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 19.7cm (7 3/4in) wide. Estimate HK$ 250,000-400,000. Sold for HK$ 1,120,000 (€ 133,801). Photo: Bonhams.

Finely carved with tall flaring sides rising to a lipped rim decorated with a band of key-fret scrolls, the exterior carved in relief with evenly-spaced Eight Buddhist Emblems, the bajixiang, above a diamond-ground frieze, all raised on four ruyi-head feet, the white stone with minor russet inclusions, wood stand.

Provenance: Charles (b.1861) and Kenneth (b.1896) Beresford, and thence by descent
An English private collection.

Note: 'Twin-fish' decorated archaistic vessels are said to have been a particular favourite of the Qianlong emperor. This may have been due to their inspiration in form and design from archaic bronzes, and in the case of the present lot, a bronze pan of the Han dynasty, and because of the multi-layered symbolism of the twin-fish motif; see M.Knight, He Li, T.Tse Bartholomew, Chinese Jades: Ming Dynasty to Early Twentieth Century from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, 2007, p.180, also illustrating a related pale green jade 'twin-fish' basin, dated 1786; and see also from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, a jade 'twin-fish' basin, Qianlong, illustrated by Chang Li-tuan, The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, Taipei, 1997, pl.7.

Considered as one of the most auspicious motifs of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, bajixiang, the twin-fish symbolises freedom from restraint as well as the wish for marital bliss, prosperity and an abundance of good luck. As fish are reputed to swim in pairs and are known for their reproductive powers, the double-fish also signifies the joys of union and numerous offspring.

Compare a related celadon jade footed bowl, Qianlong mark and of the period, carved in the centre with two swimming fish, the exterior carved with the bajixiang, sold at Sotheby's Paris, 13 June 2012, lot 182.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 4 Jun 2015 10:30 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY