Ming Dynasty
(A.D. 1368 - 1644)

In this piece, the artist has ingeniously used the dark brown part of the jade to accent the horns, whiskers, spiny fins and tail of this carp-like creature. A playful little hornless dragon seems to be hugging or perhaps tickling its belly while the massive fish rears up on its tail, nostrils flaring and eyes bulging in anger and indignation.