1007 A pair of small blue-and-white bowls with a carp transforming into a dragon

Item No.: 1007

Name: A pair of small blue-and-white bowls with a carp transforming into a dragon
Period: Qing dynasty, Qianlong reign

The bowls have thin, fine, white bodies and thick, lustrous glazes with a jade-like sheen. Varied shades of blue depict a dragon emerging from the water and rising into the clouds. The bold, vigorous lines close to the rims convey strength and lofty ambition.

The transformation of a carp into a dragon is a traditional Chinese image of achievement through perseverance, often associated with a scholar’s success through learning.