A late Qing/Republic period Yixing teapot in a theme called 鱼化龙 'Carp turns to Dragon'. The teapot has an spherical shape with ribs across its body, resembling crashing waves. It's adorned with a dragon and a carp, creating a harmonious design. The knob features a Ruyi shaped cloud on top of waves, that looks like an arch with an ascending dragon beneath it. The dragon inside the knob is made to move and when pouring tea, the dragon and it's tongue extent out of the knob. In Chinese mythology, Longmen 登龍門 "Dragon Gate" is located at the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain. The legend states that while many carp swim upstream against the river's strong current, few are capable or brave enough for the final leap over the waterfall. If a carp successfully makes the jump, it is transformed into a powerful dragon. The legend is so famous that throughout China, a common saying is that "a student facing his examinations is like a carp attempting to leap the Dragon Gate." Stamped at the inside of the lid, but illegible. PROVENANCE: From the estate of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen REFERENCE: Please see an identical teapot in: Yixing: Teapots for Europe | Patrice Valfre | 2000 dating it 19th century | Page 203 item 139 Dimensions: H10,5 x W21 (handle to spout) x W13 cm Condition: The inside rim on which the lid rests has been restored, the dragon and it's 'lair' have some minor chips. The teapot has been thoroughly used and has a lot of tea stains throughout. Checked with strong UV light for defects. Shipping method: The item is securely packed and shipped with insurance without stand or miniature teapot.