A BLACK JADE SEAL-PASTE BOX AND COVER MING DYNASTY

of circular form, the cover carved in low-relief with a catfish with its body continuing onto the side and underside of the box, the interior carved out to match the spiralling contours of the fish on the exterior, the stone of dark greenish-grey with white inclusions

Collection of Lord Cunliffe (No. JM 32).
Bluett & Sons, London, 1978.
Collection of Prof. Peter H. Plesch and Mrs. T. Plesch.

The overall condition is very good. The stone has a few natural flaws along the edge of the cover and a few natural veins. The edges of cover and box has a couple of expected nicks. The patina is very smooth. The actual size is about 10% smaller than the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This jade box and cover is intriguing for the simple yet effective decoration of a coiled catfish, a design rarely seen on vessels of this type. Carved with great imagination, the artist's commitment to his work is displayed by the working of the interior of the box to echo the exterior, an area that is usually hidden by the contents of the box and generally considered less important.  

The Chinese word for catfish (nianyu) is a pun for 'year'(nian) with the word for fish (yu) meaning 'plenty', hence the overall message conveyed is 'may you have plenty year after year'. 

For examples of jade carvings of catfish see a russet-brown jade catfish group, from the collection of Gerald Godfrey sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30^th October 1995, lot 813; and a lobed saucer with catfish in its centre holding a lingzhi   fungus spray carved in relief, in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, illustrated in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 341.

Compressed globular-form boxes were generally made to contain vermillion seal paste; compare two of closely related form, one of spinach-green jade and the other of yellow jade, from the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Cheng Te-k'un, published in James C. Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, pl. 116; and a third box of similar shape but carved with a pair of chilong enclosing a shou character, sold at Christie's New York, 23/24^th September 1988, lot 189.