Title

Jade dragon-headed carp rising from waves, Ming dynasty, China, probably 16th century. Artist: Unknown

Caption

Jade dragon-headed carp rising from waves, Ming dynasty, China, probably 16th century. A jade pebble of a leaping carp amid waves, its head almost turned into a dragon. The jade is of fine white colour but has extensive brown degradation. The waves and prominent back are nicely carved. The overall form is curved like a C. The carp turning into a dragon as it goes up the Longmen falls was symbolic of success in the Imperial examinations.
Bath (England), The Museum of East Asian Art

Date

1500

Credit line

Photo12/Heritage Images

Reference

HRM19B72_437

Model release

No

License type

Rights managed

Available size

17,9Mb (519,6Kb) / 7,4in x 9,4in / 2214 x 2831 (300dpi)

Keywords

fish arts carving country white China art Chinese color colour brown dragon carved ming location century artefact metamorphosis dynasty Ming Dynasty concept mythology artifact transformation carp aquatic life mythical creature 16th century sixteenth century Museum of East Asian Art mythical beast object Unknown jade jade object