A CHINESE WUCAI 'FISH' BALUSTER VASE

A CHINESE WUCAI 'FISH' BALUSTER VASE

17TH CENTURY

Painted with four large cartouches enclosing a mackerel, whitefish, carp and freshwater perch surrounded by leafy sprays, the panels divided by ruyi-heads decorated with geometric designs, all reserved on an iron-red diaper ground, with scrolling lotus blooms to the short neck, 28.5cm.

The Chinese names of these four fish form the rebus qingbai lianjie, which may be translated as 'pure and incorruptible'. This expresses the wish for scholars to maintain high ethical standards and meet great success.