Chinese Perfume Bottle Deicting 2 Fish

Two carp, one coil of scales, and a very smoky pool of rock crystal.

Carvers of Hebei Province, China, made this perfume bottle of rock crystal in the form of two fish. Scent bottles carved in hardstone are commonly associated with Chinese scholars and collectors, and fish carry associations with abundance. The crystal here is a smoky, pale brown, cut into overlapping bodies with detailed scales, fins and rounded eyes. One head extends to the side to form the neck of the bottle. The surface has the soft cloudiness of old stone, with polished highlights.

About 4 inches long. A palm-sized shoal that rewards a closer look.