A Chinese rare pale celadon and russet 'Fish Dragon' jade roundel, Bi, Ming Dynasty, with incised 'C' scrolls, 7.6cm wide x 4mm deep This auspicious imagery is symbolic of the mythical legend 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 symbolising a promotion to the highest rank as an official. Compare with a similar grey nephrite roundel, from the Han Dynasty, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number 02.18.319 Provenance: Formerly in a private South African Collection purchased circa mid 1970's and to the mid 1980's 明 青白玉鱼化龙璧 拍品来源：南非私人收藏，购自上世纪70-80年代 Condition Report: natural flaws to the jade Condition Report Disclaimer