A BALTIC AMBER FIGURE OF A BOY HOLDING AN ENORMOUS CARP, 18TH-19TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A BALTIC AMBER FIGURE OF A BOY HOLDING AN ENORMOUS CARP, 18TH-19TH CENTURY China. Finely carved in the round as a boy reclining on a large lotus leaf atop crested waves, holding a carp with open mouth in his hands, his round face detailed with wide smile flanked by pendulous earlobes. The amber of an egg-yolk yellow color with cloudy inclusions. Expert’s note: Baltic amber was a highly prized exotic material in China, particularly during the Qing dynasty, when it was valued at the imperial court and among the elite for its rich color, translucency, and tactile warmth. Formed from fossilized tree resin over millions of years, it ranges from transparent honey tones to intensely colored opaque varieties. The vivid, opaque egg-yolk yellow seen in the present piece was especially admired, lending itself superbly to the sophisticated carving traditions of the 18th century. Dimensions: Length 6.2 cm The fish symbolizes a wish for abundance and prosperity, as the word for fish (yu) is homophonous with ‘surplus’. Combined with the image of a boy, the motif conveys an auspicious wish for an abundance of sons and the continuation of the family line. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s London, 16 May 2012, lot 526 Price: GBP 4,750 or approx. EUR 8,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the similar subject, color of the amber, and manner of carving. Note the size (5.1 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 18 December 2017, lot 935 Price: USD 4,750 or approx. EUR 5,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the similar figural subject and size (7.2 cm).

图片