18TH CENTURY

A vase of this type carved from green jade, of smaller size (7¼ in.), also dated to the 18th century, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, is illustrated by d'Argencé, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, pp. 154-55, pl. LXX. In the entry the author notes that there is a legend that Yellow River carp making their way upstream and passing above the rapids at Longmen (Dragon Gate) in Henan province are transformed into dragons. Accordingly, the motif implies a wish for success in passing the civil service examinations. See, also, the white jade vase of this type, but smaller size (17.1 cm.), dated Qianlong period, illustrated by S. C. Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, London, 1937, pl. XCII.