Until 31st Mar, 2025
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A WHITE JADE FIGURE OF LIU HAI AND HIS THREE-LEGGED TOAD, 18TH CENTURY
Lot 169 - HS1224
China. Finely carved to depict the jovial Liu Hai dressed in voluminous robes with long sleeves and neatly incised folds, the immortal carrying his trusty three-legged toad on his shoulder. The deity’s raised hands holding a pomegranate each as he feeds the toad who precariously balances his weight. The face with a charming expression and the hair tied away from the face in two knots. The translucent jade of an even white hue.
Provenance: From a private collection in Vienna, Austria.
Condition: Good condition with wear, minute nibbles, a minor chip to the back, and natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.
Weight: 56.7 g
Dimensions: Height 7.7 cm
With an associated padded box from Uhren-Juwelen K. & F. Sokal, Vienna. (2)
Originally derived from Yuan dynasty Taoist fairy tales and regarded as folklore, Liu Hai and his Toad became a symbol of wealth and prosperity, a popular motif not only in jade but across all Chinese art. The pairing of these figures in this carving perfectly embodies Taoist principles, reflecting man's quest to understand nature and become part of a greater whole. This is seamlessly combined with society's affinity for auspicious symbols, forming a foundation of Chinese artistic tradition that continues to resonate through the centuries.
Auction comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 16 September 2016, lot 1274
Price: USD 4,750 or approx. EUR 5,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small white jade figure with a monkey, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related stone of even white hue and manner of carving with similar incision work. Note the closely related size (7.6 cm) and the different subject, still depicting similarly dressed standing figures with an animal on the shoulder.
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