The atmosphere at Aste di Antiquariato Boetto in Genoa was electric when a 12-inch (30 cm) blue-and-white Chinese vase, initially valued at €2,000-2,300, was sold for more than 400 times the low estimate. The unexpected sale of this rare Yuan dynasty fish jar or guan from the 1350s sparked a fierce bidding war, leaving the auction house and bidders in awe.
Chinese blue and white fish jar in the Yuan style, courtesy of Aste di Antiquariato Boetto
The jar’s distinctive ‘fish-in-waterpond’ motif, characteristic of Yuan dynasty ceramics, attracted quite a bit of interest, to say the least. The design, featuring four types of fish —qingyu (mullet), baiyu, liyu (carp), and guiyu (mandarin fish)— is rich in Daoist symbolism, representing spiritual freedom, a valued concept among China’s intellectuals.
Collectors have preserved numerous Yuan fish jars of varying quality and price. The finest examples can command extraordinary sums; one from the Joseph Hotung collection fetched nearly HK$40 million (or just over $5 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2022.
These large jars were among the first blue-and-white porcelain pieces and were often used to store alcohol or water for tea. Archaeological finds suggest they were produced at several notable ceramic centers, including Longquan, the Cizhou kilns, and Jingdezhen.
When the intense bidding war finally concluded, the new owner paid a staggering €820K ($881K), far surpassing all expectations. This extraordinary sale in Genoa not only underscores the lasting allure and substantial value of Yuan dynasty ceramics but also highlights their profound historical and artistic significance.