This wine pot moulded in zoomorphic-form has a short neck that emerges out of the fish's mouth. During the Song dynasty, the fish was a common motif, usually shown as a pair, side by side in the centre of porcelains. The word for fish, 'yu' is homophonous with the word meaning abundance, 'yu'. In ancient China, the fish was symbolic of, among others rank, and power, fertility and also a charm to ward off evil.This piece is covered in 'Qingbai' glaze, which derives its name from the characteristic icy, bluish-white glaze. Qingbai wares were developed during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Produced in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, they were exported in large quantities to Southeast Asia from the 12th century onwards although pieces such as these were usually made for the domestic market.
