A LARGE TWIN DRAGON CARP JADE VASE, 18th / 19th CENTURY The stone is of an even celadon hue with milky white inclusions, very smooth surface polish China, 18th to 19th centuriesThe vase is carved as a pair of ferocious dragon-carps rising from swirling turbulent waves, and modelled with mouth open, teeth bared, and the tails elegantly curled. Its beards, manes and scales are detailed with finely incised lines.The subject-matter is that of the carp reaching the upper courses of the Yellow River and leaping up the rapids at Dragon Gate where it transforms into a dragon. This feat is compared to success in the state examinations and the transformation from carp to dragon symbolizing promotion to the position of official. This was a popular subject on carved jades for its drama and auspicious representations. Shape: SculpturalDimensions: width is 17 cm, height is 12.5 cmWeight: 1,060 gramsCondition: excellent condition Provenance: American private Museum collectionLiterature comparison: a white jade twin carp vase which compares well to the present example is illustrated by S. Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, London, 1936, pl. XCII.Auction results comparison: Sotheby’s, IMPORTANT CHINESE WORKS OF ART, New York, 17-18 March 2015, lot 325 (for a celadon dragon carp vase of similar size). For a yellow jade dragon carp vase, smaller in size see Christie’s, Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4212. 大型青玉雕魚躍龍門紋瓶，十八至十九世紀青色玉，局部乳白色沁斑，表面光潤中國， 十八至十九世紀造型：雕塑尺寸：寬17 厘米, 高 12.5 厘米重量：1,060 克品相：極好 來源：美國私人美術館收藏