魚魚魚魚

From Eskenazi Ltd. Yuan Fish Jar
Porcelain Jar
Yuan dynasty, mid 14th century
Height: 28.5cm

...The body of the vessel is boldly and freely painted with four different fish in a lotus pond, within double line borders. The most recognizable of the fish is the Chinese perch (also known as mandarin fish), with its mottled skin, spiky, bony dorsal fin and rounded tail. Its mouth is agape, revealing sharp, pointed teeth, as it spies for prey with large, round eyes. Three other fish, all members of the carp family, swim around the jar. Facing the Chinese perch is a plump fish, with a small head, fleshy lips, triangular dorsal fin and scales depicted by cross-hatching. The third fish, the common carp with its barbels, long scalloped dorsal fin and large scales, is painted with its tail twisted, as if swimming upwards. Opposite it, the fourth fish is depicted with triangular dorsal fin, thick fleshy lips slightly parted, overlapping curves to show scales, and bifurcated tail fin flicked slightly upwards...