A Large Pale Celadon and Russet Jade 'Melon' Marriage Bowl Qing Dynasty, 18th / 19th Century

the shallow lobed sides divided into four bracket foliations, supported on a short straight foot of corresponding shape, flanked by a pair of handles carved in openwork in the form of a butterfly, the wings pierced through with small apertures, the interior finely carved with melons wreathed with lush leaves, the stone of a pale celadon tone mottled with russet inclusions

Christie's Paris, 7th June 2011, lot 264.

There are some occasional bruises or minor nicks to the edges of the marriage bowl, both around the mouth rim and foot rim or to some edges of the melon carving on the interior but overall the vessel is in good condition. There are a few natural inclusions or lightly calcified areas as visible on the photo, including a 5 cm. grey and black linear inclusion to the upper left of the melon carving on the interior. The actual colour is consistent with the catalogue illustration if not slightly more pale celadon.
"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 present vessel is unusual for its large size and lobed form; compare a bowl of similar size, but of rounded form, from the collection of the Vint family, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3rd December 2008, lot 2607.

Marriage bowls were popular during the Qing period and are often decorated with auspicious symbols which offer blessings and good wishes upon a marital union, such as on the present lot. The pair of butterflies (hudie) that form the handles symbolise martial happiness. When combined with melons (gua), they form the rebus 'May your line of descendants be unbroken' (die mianmian). Smaller bowls carved with butterfly-shaped handles and melons on the interior include a spinach jade bowl sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2004, lot 519; another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 31st May 2010, lot 2088; and a white jade bowl sold at Christie's New York, 6th May 1980, lot 348, and again, 19th September 2007, lot 84. Compare also a large spinach green chrysanthemum-shaped bowl, with similarly modelled butterfly handles, illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Jade in the National Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1973, pl. 34. A small white jade marriage bowl with similar handles, but carved on the inside with peaches, pomegranate and finger citron, is illustrated by Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 88.