A RARE 'DING' 'FISH' BASIN NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY

with deep rounded sides rising from a recessed base to a lipped rim, the interior incised with twin fish among waves, the exterior carved with three bands of overlapping lotus petals, all covered in a clear ivory glaze, wood stand

The bowl is in very good condition with the exception of a slight firing warp to the rim and an iron-spot glaze imperfection to the interior of the bowl.
"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 finely potted basin is notable for its large size and the crisp design of fish swimming in the interior. It is unusual to find basins of this deep flared form with a slightly recessed base, the closest related examples being bowls potted with a flat foot, such as one decorated with lotus, in the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, included in Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics I, Tokyo, 1988, pl. 357; another in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Selection of Ding Ware, op. cit., pl. 52; and a third from the Linyushanren collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 2nd December 2015, lot 2815.

Basins carved on the interior with fish are more commonly robustly potted with a foot and of larger size; see a larger example, also carved on the exterior with lotus petals, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Selection of Ding Ware. The Palace Museum Collection and Archaeological Excavation, Beijing, 2012, pl. 53; one with a single fish, from the Sir Percival David collection, now in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Mary Tregear, Song Ceramics, London, 1982, pl. 29; another also in the British Museum, London, from the Eumorfopoulos collection, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, vol. 4, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 56; and a fourth sold in these rooms, 11th May 2016, lot 32.

The motif on this basin of two fish swimming together is steeped in auspicious symbolism, as pair of fishes represents marital happiness, good fortune and fertility. Furthermore the word for fish (yu) is homophonous for the word for abundance or plenty (yu). Fish swimming in ponds became a popular subject in literati paintings from the Northern Song dynasty onwards, as fish came to represent the concepts of freedom and vitality.