Porcelain from the Jingdezhen kilns 景德鎮窯, Jiangxi Province 江西省, Qing dynasty 清代 (1644-1911).
Fish are among the favourite decorative motifs of the Chinese. The carp is a powerful symbol of intellectual accomplishment and fish in general express bounty.
“Powdered blue” vase with carp design 灑藍加彩鯉魚紋棒錘瓶
Reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)
CB-CC-1933-559
Dish painted in red enamel and gilt with carp design 紅金彩鯉魚紋盤
Reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)
CB-CC-1933-560Pair of dishes painted in Wanli wucai style depicting various types of fish 萬曆五彩四种魚類紋盤一對
Reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735) or Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-CC-1949-562 and CB-CC-1949-563
The mark under the base refers to a famous story attributed to Zhuangzi 莊子 (4th c. B.C.), who, observing the fish in their natural element, exclaimed: “They rejoice in the water” 在川知樂.Pair of bowls with red fish on a blue ground 寳燒鮊魚紋碗一對
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1933-533 and CB-CC-1933-534
The fish represented can be identified by their long dorsal fin and up-turned mouth. These are silver carp, symbolising incorruptibility.Bowl with carp decoration painted in enamels 琺瑯彩鯉魚紋碗
Qing dynasty, 18th c.
CB-CC-1935-564
Under the base is an inscription reading “to be treasured like a gem from the deep” 若深珍藏.Basket-shaped vase with carp painted in red enamel 琺瑯彩金魚紋籃形瓶
Reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)
CB-CC-1932-561
A few other vases with a similar shape and glaze exist, although without the fish.Enamelled bowl (one of a pair) decorated with landscapes and goldfish swimming among seaweed 琺瑯彩金魚戯草與山水紋碗
Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-CC-1932-603