Ancient Chinese, Wei Dynasty Terracotta Statuette of Fish Monster (No reserve price)
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Current bid
€ 25
No reserve price
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 250 - € 330
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 Bidder 7387 | €25 | |
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 Bidder 8762 | €20 | |
| Bidder 7387 | €15 | |
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Ancient Chinese Wei Dynasty terracotta statuette titled Statuette of Fish Monster, depicting a fish creature with a human head, 22 cm long and 8.7 cm high, in good condition, from a private collection and provenance to the C. Roger Moss OBE collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A finely modelled Chinese terracotta statuette, depicting a fish creature with human face. The statuette features a large, horizontally arranged body of a fish, with a triangular tail, a notched dorsal fin and gills. The fish head is replaced with a human head, with closed eyes, wide nose and full lips. The original pigment on the statue has mostly faded but some red and pink areas are still visible. Earthly encrustations throughout. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as scratches, chips to the edges, and the base. A surface crack on the inside of the statue and around the head.
Fish are a symbol of wealth in Chinese culture. The Chinese character for fish is yu (traditional Chinese: 魚; simplified Chinese: 鱼; pinyin: yú). Though now pronounced with a different tone in modern Chinese, yù (裕), meaning "abundance", originally was a homophone. Chinese folklore featured mythical creatures with a human’s upper body and a fish’s lower body, called jiaoren. Jiaoren were associated with purity, beauty, and the protection of marine life.
Measurements: L 22cm x H 8.7cm
Provenance: The C. Roger Moss OBE collection.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
A finely modelled Chinese terracotta statuette, depicting a fish creature with human face. The statuette features a large, horizontally arranged body of a fish, with a triangular tail, a notched dorsal fin and gills. The fish head is replaced with a human head, with closed eyes, wide nose and full lips. The original pigment on the statue has mostly faded but some red and pink areas are still visible. Earthly encrustations throughout. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as scratches, chips to the edges, and the base. A surface crack on the inside of the statue and around the head.
Fish are a symbol of wealth in Chinese culture. The Chinese character for fish is yu (traditional Chinese: 魚; simplified Chinese: 鱼; pinyin: yú). Though now pronounced with a different tone in modern Chinese, yù (裕), meaning "abundance", originally was a homophone. Chinese folklore featured mythical creatures with a human’s upper body and a fish’s lower body, called jiaoren. Jiaoren were associated with purity, beauty, and the protection of marine life.
Measurements: L 22cm x H 8.7cm
Provenance: The C. Roger Moss OBE collection.
N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**
Seller's Story
N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price.
Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees.
Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images.
The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot.
The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Chinese, Wei Dynasty
Century/ Timeframe
AD 386-534
Name of object
Statuette of Fish Monster
Acquired from
Private collection
Subject/Depiction
Fish
Year acquired
2000
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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