Two carved bone fish

春秋   骨雕魚兩件

The fish are similarly stylized, each with a long slender body terminating in a "Y"-shaped tail, a face demarcated by a simple incised gill line, drilled circular eyes and scales indicated by incised cross-hatching. Each is hollow, suggesting a wide open mouth, and has a hole, perhaps for suspension, piercing the jaw area. The larger fish is stained, perhaps by proximity to bronze or some other material, to a brilliant turquoise-green colour. The smaller fish is similarly stained, but to a lesser extent. 

Dimensions: Lengths: 9.2 and 10.8 cm (3 ⅝ and 4 ¼ inches)

Date: Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC)

Price: On Request