1750-1850

The imagery of this bottle suggests a wish for success in future events. Therese Tse Bartholomew notes that the crab (xie) can be read as a pun for 'harmony' in addition to being a symbol for a successful completion of the civil service examinations (see Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 42 and 91). The leaping carp (yu) can also be associated with abundance as well as a symbol of a successful passing of exams, resulting in a high rank represented by the dragon.