Snuff bottles in the shape of a dragon-headed carp and goldfish

Grey nephrite jade snuff bottle in the shape of a dragon-headed carp, and a white nephrite jade snuff bottle in the shape of a goldfish. The fish is an extremely popular subject in Chinese art. While the dragon-headed carp rising from waves is a metaphor for a poor scholar who, by passing the civil services exams, raises himself to the status of high official, the goldfish symbolises ‘gold and jade’, that is, wealth and abundance.