A celadon and russet jade 'boy on a dragon-carp' carving. China, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century. The boy clutching the beast's horn with one hand and grasping his billowing scarf with the other. The dragon fish with large bulging eyes, neatly incised scales, sharp teeth, and wings. The translucent stone of a fine celadon tone with russet veining and areas of dark brown. The jade carving is accompanied on a fitted wooden stand of later date. With an old label on the underside of the wood stand, ‘Boy on dolphin, circa 1670 Kang Hsi, 36 […]’. Symbolism: A boy may symbolize the wish for male continuity in the family, and combined with the carp, this group may be interpreted to bestow auspicious wishes of an abundance of good luck in the family. Provenance (by repute): Formerly in an old English private collection, thence by descent in the same family. Condition: Good condition with some old wear, the tailfin with a small loss, minor nicks here and there. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time. Weight excluding the wooden stand: 107.8 g Dimensions excluding the wooden stand: Width 8.4 cm, height 6.3 cm, depth 1.8 cm. Compare: -A similar carving was sold at Christie’s New York, 14 September 2012, lot 1074 with a realised price of USD 5.250 or approx. EUR 6.200. -Another lot with similarities but with openwork carving was sold at Bonhams London, 9 May 2022, lot 53 with a realised price of GBP 5.737 or approx. EUR 6.700. Worldwide registered and insured shipping.