Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Pair of Chinese blue and white dragon dishes, Kangxi (1662-1722), decorated with carp and four-clawed scaly dragons springing forth from crashing waves amidst flames and clouds, the border surmounted by inner brackets of flaming pearls and outer rim of floral sprays and carp, diameter: 8in. (20.5cm). Provenance: Bluett & Sons. The story of carp transforming into a dragon was a very popular motif; according to legend on the third month of 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 that did transformed into dragons. The carp-dragon is symbolic of attaining success and is often found on objects bestowed to those studying for their civil service exams in hopes of passing. A similar plate from the Samuel Putnam Avery Sr. Collection & MET Museum Collection was sold at Christie's in September 2016. SOLD
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
