A FAMILLE-ROSE 'TWIN FISH AND CHIME' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of baluster form supported on a splayed foot, the rounded sides rising to an angled shoulder and a waisted neck below an inverted rim, brightly decorated around the exterior in famille-rose enamels against a white ground with four large lotus blooms borne on foliate scrolls with attendant lotus and daylilies, each set below beribboned 'twin fish' suspending a pale green chime, finely detailed in shades of brown with gills and serrate fins, the neck further enamelled with four yellow and pink petalled flowers open in full bloom among feathery scrolls, below a border of florets and pink fleurs-de-lys at the rim, the foot skirted by upright multi-coloured lappets above sprays of florets and a raised iron-red foot painted with a gilt 'classic' scroll, the inside and base glazed in pale turquoise

A private English collection (by repute).

There is a 2 cm horizontal hairline crack to the inner rim of the mouth, which has been stabilised. The shoulder has a horizontal body line. There is also an original fine firing hairline crack of 1.3 cm to the unglazed footring. Apart from some expected surface scratches and minor enamel losses, the vase is otherwise in overall quite good condition. The enamels are generally well preserved.
"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."

The symbolism of the design found on this finely decorated vase is especially auspicious. According to Teresa Tse Bartholomew in Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 2006, p.185, the twin fish, while being one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, also symbolize freedom from restraint and convey the message of 'may you be blessed with connubial bliss, fecundity and an abundance of good luck' (see ibid., p. 44).

Vases decorated in a similar style, with finely painted lotus blooms and scroll in particularly vivid enamels against a white ground, can be found in different shapes; for example, see a Qianlong mark and period vase illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 95; a famille-rose lantern vase sold in these rooms, 9^th October 2008, lot 1504; and a pair of vases sold at Christie's New York, 15^th September 2009, lot 467, of related tapering ovoid body but with handles on the neck and everted ruyi head-form rims.