Water container in the shape of a mandarin drake

Water containers on the scholar's table come in many forms and shapes. This well-hollowed example, made of grayish jade with light-brown suffusions, is shaped like a mandarin drake with its head turned back. The drake carries a lotus plant and waterweeds; a stalk of weed, clinging to its tail, cleverly hides a natural flaw in the stone. A lotus blossom in full bloom appears on each side of its body.

Mandarin ducks (and ducks in general) mate for life, and are the traditional symbols for wishing newlyweds a happy marriage. Among its numerous meanings, the lotus (lian) is also a pun for "continuous"— in this case, a wish for continuous birth of sons.

The tube for siphoning water, usually seen in water containers, is missing from this piece.