A LARGE SPINACH-GREEN JADE 'DOUBLE CARP' GROUP, QING DYNASTY

Nephrite of a pure and deep spinach-green tone accentuated with intense russet inclusions on the head of the upper carp, and some white and russet streaks on the reverse.

China, Qing Dynasty, late 18th – 19th century

Meticulously carved in the form of two carps, emerging from tempestuous waves in an upright manner, their undulating tails flattened, their bodies naturalistically carved to simulate an even scaly texture, their heads conjoined, the opaque stone of a deep spinach-green tone with attractive russet streaks.
The present piece is notable for its dynamic and crisply carved depiction of two fish which skilfully capture a sense of movement and power while retaining the fine detail and finished surface that were appreciated by the jade connoisseurs of the Qing dynasty. The robust forms of the creatures and broadly formed waves of water draw attention to the spinach jade stone from which it has been fashioned, a material that was particularly treasured by the Qianlong Emperor.

Shape: Natural boulder form
Dimensions: Height 24,5 cm.
Weight: 4600 grams
Condition: Excellent condition with some natural fissures
Provenance: Christies, London, 15-16 June 1987, lot 331

Literature comparison: Compare with a remarkable yellow jade vase with dragon-carps, the russet tones of the stone cleverly incorporated into the composition, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 421; and another of spinach-green jade, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 49.

清代”雙鯉躍龍門”碧玉
大型和田碧玉，局部褐色沁
中國，清代，18世紀晚期至19世紀
精工雕刻的雙鯉，在洶湧的浪濤下一齊躍向龍門。工法之細膩，將鱗片紋理逐一雕出，顯得更加生動。
這件作品成功描繪雙鯉齊躍的動感及氣勢，並有完整的細節及平滑的表面。乾隆珍愛的和田碧玉材質，加上獨特的造型及磅礡的海浪，讓這件作品更顯獨特。
形狀：天然山子
尺寸：高24.5厘米
重量：4600克
品相極好
出處：佳士得，倫敦，1987年6月15-16日，331號拍品
文獻參考：位於倫敦Victoria and Albert 博物館的《歷代中國玉石展》曾於1975年展出相似的黃玉鯉魚龍紋花瓶，第421號展品。另一件相似的碧玉，可見《故宫博物院藏文物珍品全集：玉器(下)》，香港，1995，圖版49頁。