A FINE WHITE JADE MARRIAGE BOWL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the deep rounded sides supported on a shallow foot carved as a large floral medallion with furled petals, the ringed handles formed from two bats with wings outstretched above lingzhi sprigs decorated with shou medallions at the heads, carved in low relief to the interior with two catfish encircling a wan symbol, the exterior with stylised taotie masks below a foliate band at the rim, the stone of an even white tone with a pale celadon inclusion near the base

The marriage bowl is in very good condition except minor nibbling along the extremities. There is a large patch of pale celadon inclusion near the base of the bowl. The stone is of a more celadon tone compared to 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."

Marriage bowls of this type typically bear symbols relating to marital bliss and blessing. The pair of catfish on this piece represents the wish, ‘May you have plenty year after year’ (niannian youyu) while the two bats, shou medallion and ruyi head of the handles signify the wish for blessings, longevity and fulfilment of all wishes (fushou ruyi). The twin catfish motif was popular throughout the Qing dynasty and was depicted with a combination of similarly auspicious motifs; see a marriage bowl carved with a pair of fish amongst fruiting peach branches and xi characters on the handles, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30^th October 1991, lot 423, and again in our New York rooms, 20^th March 2002, lot 142; another decorated with the twin fish amongst lingzhi branches, sold in these rooms, 11^th May 1954, lot 148; and a third bowl depicting two catfish swimming around a chrysanthemum bloom and lingzhi fungus, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27^th May 2009, lot 1839.