A 'LONGQUAN' CELADON 'TWIN-FISH' DISH YUAN DYNASTY

Estimate

400,000 - 600,000 HKD

bidding is closed

Description

the deep dish with rounded sides rising to an everted rim, moulded in relief with a pair of addorsed carp on the base of the interior, the exterior moulded with petal lappets, all beneath an unctuous sea-green coloured glaze

Provenance

Formerly in a Japanese Private Collection.

Catalogue Note

The present piece is an example of the 'twin-fish' dishes that were made at various Longquan kilns during the Southern Song and early Yuan dynasties. Similar dishes are held in several major collections, including one published in Locsin, Oriental Ceramics discovered in the Philippines, Rutland, 1967, pl.51; one illustrated in Rosemary E. Scott, Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, pl.45; and another published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Meiyintang Collection, vol.I, London, 1994, pl.559. Compare also the sherds excavated in Aotou published in N. Palmgren, Sung Sherds, Stockholm, 1963, pl.21, no.9; and the sherd excavated in Longquanxian of which Wirgin illustrates a drawing in J.Wirgin, Sung Ceramic Designs, Stockholm, 1970, fig.30.

Compare similar dishes sold in these rooms; one sold 12th May 1976, lot 45; one sold in 26th-29th November 1981, lot 558; and another sold 24th May 1981, lot 1033. Also see a similar dish sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th November 2007, lot 1753.

Two fish swimming together is an auspicious symbol of marital happiness and good fortune. The collective name for fish, yu, is a pun for abundance.