A CELADON-GROUND FAMILLE ROSE ‘DRAGONS AND CARP’ DOUBLE-GOURD VASE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
China. Of flattened rectangular form covered in a fine celadon glaze overall, nicely pooling in the recesses and thinning along the elegantly curved and raised edges. Brightly enameled to one side with two dragons amid blossoms and leafy floral stems, and to the other with a single four-clawed dragon soaring over a tumultuous sea above a large golden carp, neatly painted in iron-red, emerging from crashing waves.


Provenance:
West Berkshire, United Kingdom, local trade. By repute acquired from a private estate.

Condition:
Old wear and expected manufacturing irregularities, such as small glaze recesses. Rubbing and minute flaking to the enamels, a darkened hairline to one side, small chips, light fritting.

Weight: 964 g
Dimensions: Height 24.4 cm

Each main side is additionally decorated with colorful and swirling lingzhi-shaped clouds, and the two narrow sides are further decorated with bats. The vase stands on a rectangular spreading foot and is surmounted by a flared neck.


According to traditional Chinese belief
, carp would swim upstream in the Yellow River in order to leap across the rapids of the Dragon's Gate. The first to succeed would be transformed into a dragon. This legend is meant as a metaphor for a scholar who passes his examinations, succeeding to the rank of high office. To this day, the dragon-carp motif is a wish for success in achieving high marks for students during their examinations.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 12 November 2010, lot 1456
Price: GBP 31,250 or approx.
EUR 63,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A celadon melon formed vase with famille rose decorations, 18th/19th century
Expert remark: Compare the similar glaze which pools in the recesses and thins along the edges of this melon-form vase. Note the size (30.8 cm).




十八至十九世紀青釉地粉彩《鯉魚躍龍門》葫蘆瓶

中國。扁平葫蘆瓶。通體施精美的青釉，粉彩描繪，有兩條龍在萬花中飛騰，另一側則有一條四爪龍從洶湧波濤中騰飛，海中一條巨大的金鯉，從波浪中浮現。琺琅色彩繽紛，五彩祥雲，兩側窄邊飾有蝙蝠。底足外撇。


來源：
英國西伯克郡當地古玩貿易，據説來自私人莊園。

品相：
有磨損和釉面凹陷，釉面輕微剝落，一側有冲線，小碎片。

重量：964 克
尺寸：高 24.4 厘米


拍賣比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦佳士得，2010年11月12日，lot 1456
價格：GBP 31,250（相當今日
EUR 63,000
）
描述：十八至十九世紀青釉瓜形粉彩裝飾瓶
專家註釋：比較相似的釉面和瓜形的外形。請注意尺寸 (30.8 厘米)。