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A MELON-GREEN JADE 'DRAGON CARP' GROUP QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
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Description
- Jade
meticulously carved in the form of a rotund dragon-fish with the flattened scaly body of a carp and the maned head of a dragon, depicted with broad curling pectoral fins and serrated spine, raised snout and open jaws baring teeth, with a carp clambering up its back, finely detailed fins and scales for both, the smoothly polished stone of a greyish-green colour with russet patches
Condition
The jade dragon carp is in overall good condition. There is the expected minor nicks to the extremities, particularly to the edges of the pectoral fins and serrated spine.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This dynamic carving captures the moment a carp has successfully swum against the current of the Yellow River and leaped up at the Dragon Gate to transform into a powerful dragon. The transformation of the carp can be seen to be taking place; the continuous narrative is represented through the depiction of the dragon with gills that are still to form into claws.
Compare related depictions of this theme, such as a spinach-green jade vase with conjoined dragon-fish, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 49; one, but with the smaller fish at the base of the larger one, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the exhibition Treasured Masterpieces from the National Palace Museum Taipei, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, 2014, cat. no. 194; and another sold in these rooms, 7th June 1967, lot 332.