A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A FISH-DRAGON QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the yellowish-celadon and russet stone carved in the form a fish-dragon leaping above a tempestuous sea, the mythical beast formed from the flattened scaly body of a carp and the maned head of a dragon, with broad curling pectoral fins and serrated spine, raised snout and agape jaws exhaling swirls of vapour further cascading down the belly toward its curled caudal tail, the ruffled waves marked with fine incisions and naturalistically detailed with a whirlpool on the underside, wood stand

There is a very tiny bruise to the serrated spine and minor occasional nicks along the edges, but overall the carving is in very good condition with a fine polish.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A carp transforming into a dragon comes from the legend that on the third month of the spring, schools of carp would swim up the Yellow River to spawn.  At a steep passage known as Dragon's Gate, the carp would have to leap up over the waterfall.  Most of the fish would not succeed, but those who did transformed into dragons.  The carp-dragon is symbolic of attaining success and were often bestowed to those studying for their civil service exams in hopes of passing. 

Depicted with a vigorous yet flowing sense of movement, the present piece is notable for the fine and consistent level of detail, seen in the finely rendered scales, fins and tail. The carver has skillfully incorporated the natural russet inclusions of the stone to add a naturalistic depth and texture to the fish-dragon. See also a smaller but similarly rendered leaping carp from the the Zhirouzhai Collection, sold in these rooms 8^th October 2008, lot 2330, and an earlier related figure of a fish, attributed to the Song or Yuan periods, included in the exhibition Carved Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1996, cat. no. 122. Compare a Qing dynasty vase of spinach-green jade with similarly carved fish-dragon in the collections of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 49. For a Ming example of the same subject, see a small carving in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, included in the exhibition Jades from China, Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1994, cat. no. 293.