Jade mandarin ducks with lotus, Qing dynasty, China, probably 18th century.

Jade mandarin ducks with lotus, Qing dynasty, China, probably 18th century. A pale celadon-green pebble carved in the shape of two mandarin ducks positioned head to tail each holding a lotus spray. In places the orange outer skin of the pebble is showing. The entire group is shown sitting on a lotus leaf. The bird's crests and tails have fine incision. The bodies and heads are somewhat compromised from nature to accomodate the designs within the confines of the pebble. A pair of Mandarin ducks symbolises marital fidelity in Chinese art. (Photo by Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images)