A LARGE JADE CARVING OF A FISH 17TH CENTURY

the celadon stone with a few russet inclusions in the form of a fish grasping in its mouth the stems of a lotus leaf and flower clinging to his side as it glides through the water, carved wood stand

Several small natural flaws running through the jade. The colour of the jade is of a slightly paler tone than the illustration suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A related jade carving, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, is illustrated in Rene-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argence, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, p. 104, pl. XLV (top), where it is noted that the motif showing an animal holding a plant in its mouth can be traced back to at least the Tang dynasty but did not become popular until the Ming period. Compare also a celadon-green jade group of two carps, one large and one small, amid swirling waves, similarly attributed to the 17th century and in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, published in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 327.  

See also an 18th century carving of a carp swimming among lotus and waterweeds with waves below included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 405.