Chinese Stone “Abundance” Sculpture of Young Boy & Carp

Details

Description

On offer is a classic piece of Chinese folk art depicting a traditional, auspicious motif, namely a young boy wrestling … Read more On offer is a classic piece of Chinese folk art depicting a traditional, auspicious motif, namely a young boy wrestling a giant carp, or Koi fish. In Chinese culture, the word for fish (Yú) sounds exactly like the word for "surplus" or "abundance." A child holding a large fish is a powerful Feng Shui symbol meaning "May you have a surplus of wealth year after year.”
The carp represents transformation and determination, stemming from the ancient Chinese legend of the Dragon Gate. It dictates that a carp swimming upstream that successfully leaps over the waterfall will transform into a powerful dragon. It is a traditional wish for children, particularly boys, to grow strong, overcome hardships and succeed academically or professionally.
The carved harness or cross-straps on the boy's back represent an Apron or Dudou (a traditional Chinese children's undergarment). In folk art, this is the classic attire for a chubby, lucky baby (Wa Wa), representing purity and protection from evil spirits.
The figurine was carved from natural soapstone or a mineral stone like steatite. Soapstone is a soft stone traditionally used by Chinese artisans because it allows for incredibly fluid, intricate details—such as the individual scales on the fish and the churning crests of the water waves below.
The bottom of the piece shows a distinct purplish-maroon hue. It was highly common for Chinese carvers to use stone with natural color variegation, or to apply a tinted wax polish to enhance the finish. The Number "43": The incised number "43" on the bottom is a contemporary inventory mark, hand-etched style number, or a batch number typically used during the 20th century for export tracking.
This is a mid-to-late 20th-century vintage export piece from China. Sculptures like this were popular exports from the 1960s through the 1980s, valued for their hand-carved artistry and rich cultural symbolism. Why not bring a little good luck and abundance into your life?
Signature/Maker’s mark: Nonexistent. See less