Chinese Qing dynasty basin decorated in underglaze blue on a white porcelain ground. The center roundel features a carp leaping high above the waves at Dragon’s Gate and transforming itself into the four-clawed dragon in the rapids below. This motif signifies a scholar passing the civil service exam to become a high official. Two butterflies are among leafy foliage on the cavetto and a band of heart forms encircles the slanted rim. Three leafy sprays are on the exterior edge. Slightly concave unglazed bottom. 11 1/8” dia. x 3 7/16” high. 19th century. Very good overall condition with minor production irregularities at the rim. There is a fine, faint browned spider crack at the side of the basin. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier, a Diplomat at the German Embassy in Beijing from 1985 to 1989.