Until 31st Dec, 2025
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† A CARVED WOOD FIGURE OF LIU HAI AND HIS THREE-LEGGED TOAD, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD
Lot 129 - HS0625
China, 1850-1949. Finely carved standing with a cheerful expression, the Daoist immortal wears a long robe loosely draped over the shoulders to reveal a prominent belly. His right hand is raised and the left lowered, positioned to hold a string of cash as he tries to lure his three-legged toad which stands at his feet.
Provenance: Gina Frech collection, Zurich. The private collection of Jules Speelman, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the above. Jules Speelman is a world-leading dealer and collector of East Asian art with 60 years of experience. In 1964 he joined his late father, Alfred, in the family business which already stretched back three generations to 19th century Holland and expanded into England around the turn of the century. Originally, A & J Speelman dealt with antiques, from European ceramics, silver, tapestries, and furniture to Chinese porcelain, and works of art. With his father, Jules gradually shifted the focus towards Asia and under Jules Speelman's skilled direction, A & J Speelman is now considered amongst the foremost dealers in Asian antiques, with a particular emphasis on figurative sculpture and works of art from the past 2000 years.
Condition: Overall good condition with minor wear, old repairs to fingers of the right hand, small losses and minor age cracks to the base, one fine fissure to the belly, light rubbing and few minor touchups to staining.
Weight: 214 g
Dimensions: Height 21 cm
Literature comparison:
Compare a related boxwood figure of Liu Hai and his three-legged toad, dated approx. 1850-1900, 17.8 cm long, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, object number 2006.12.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 27 May 2021, lot 577
Estimate: HKD 100,000 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A finely carved boxwood figure of Liu Hai, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of carving, and subject. Note the size (16.2 cm), the different wood, and earlier dating. This boxwood figure was also formerly in the Gina Frech collection.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 29-30 May 2022, lot 162
Price: HKD 40,800 or approx. EUR 4,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved bamboo standing figure of Liu Hai and his golden toad, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, manner of carving, and subject. Note the size (30 cm).
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