Until 1st Jan, 2026
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A CAMEO AGATE ‘LIU HAI’ SNUFF BOTTLE, 19TH CENTURY
Lot 453-FAS0425
China. Well hollowed, of rounded square form, finely carved in relief utilizing the darker markings to depict Liu Hai balancing on the three-legged toad and holding a string of cash, the reverse carved and incised in low relief with lingzhi fungi issuing from rockwork and a bat in flight. The translucent stone is of a fine honey-brown color with dark brown areas and caramel striations.
Provenance: A private collection in Florida, United States. The Cloud Contemplation Studio Collection, United States, acquired from the above. Two labels to the base, one inscribed ‘K114’ and the other printed ‘55’.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and little nibbling to the base.
Stopper: pale green hardstone stopper on a green glass platelet
Weight: 68.4 g
Dimensions: Height 65 mm, Diameter neck 20 mm and mouth 7 mm
The story of Liu Hai is frequently related as ‘Liu Hai playing with the Golden Toad’. However, there is a hidden meaning here: The Chinese word for toad is chanchu, and sometimes only the first character, chan, is spoken. In some Chinese dialects, the character chan has a pronunciation very similar to qian which means ‘coin’. Therefore, a storyteller reciting ‘Liu Hai playing with the Golden Toad’ could also be heard by listeners as ‘Liu Hai playing with the gold coins’.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 3 December 2015, lot 655
Price: HKD 43,750 or approx. EUR 6,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An agate 'liu hai' snuff bottle qing dynasty, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and subject. Note the different color.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2017, lot 282
Price: GBP 3,125 or approx. EUR 5,400 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A chalcedony agate 'Liuhai and Toad' snuff bottle, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and subject. Note the size (4.9 cm).
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