Lot 93
  • 93

A LARGE GRAY AND BLACK 'DRAGON-CARP' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY |

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

  • Length 9 in., 22.5 cm
carved as a large horned dragon-fish leaping amidst lingzhi-shaped swirls of water and a 'Flaming Pearl', the mouth agape to reveal a hollow body, with fluttering fan-shaped fins at the sides and a spiny ridged dorsal fin, the face with a ruyi-shaped nose, trailing whiskers, and fangs, a smaller carp swimming upwards by its side, the lustrous stone variegated smoky gray with patches of charcoal-black, wood stand (2)

Provenance

Collection of Richard Ronald John Copeland (1884-1958).
Spink & Son, London, 3rd June 1982.
Collection of Florence (1920-2018) and Herbert (1917-2016) Irving, no. 403.

Condition

The vase is in overall good condition with only a few tiny nicks to the extremities.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Crisply and powerfully carved in the round, this dynamic vase captures a moment of metamorphosis. According to legend, Yellow River carp that reach the rapids at Longmen (Dragon Gate) transform into dragons. This theme was a popular pictorial subject as it implies wishes for success in the civil examinations, transforming the pupil into a high official. The carver has advantageously used the natural coloring of the stone to differentiate between the smaller black carp and the larger gray dragon-fish. Each detail is meticulously rendered, from the scales to the fine swirls of water. 
Similar 'carp' vases include a white jade example sold at Christie's New York, 21st March 2013, lot 1393;  a slightly larger example, formerly in the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th November 2006, lot 1425; and a Qianlong period black and gray jade example, with Nezha on the dragon-fish's fin, sold in these rooms, 2nd October, 1979, lot 225. Compare also a related green jade vase, carved in slightly lower relief, sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 196; and a spinach-green jade example from the Thompson-Schwab Collection, sold in our London rooms, 9th November 2016, lot 9.