The subject matter of the present lot is identified by the long barbels of the catfishes. It is a depiction of a young and mature catfish embracing each other to create an oval, possibly due to the shape of the pebble from which it was worked to create the present lot. The catfish is referred to as the nianyu, a pun for the words year and abundance respectively. The depiction of a pair of catfish like the present lot is connotative of nian nian youyu, which is an auspicious phrase representing ‘continuous abundance year after year.’ Furthermore, the ruyi sprig the mature fish grasp onto with its mouth signifies ruyi while the pair of catfishes is a homophone for year. Taken together, they symbolizes niannian ruyi, which translates to ‘may your wishes come true year after year’. Compare with a carving modeled in a very similar posture in the Collection of the Asian art museum of San Francisco, illustrated in Later Chinese Jades Ming dynasty to early twentieth century, San Francisco, pl.295, p.271. See also another jade carving, illustrated in Selected Treasures of Chinese Art. Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, pl. 219, pp.454-455.