Product Description
A wonderful antique Chinese carving of Daoist Immortal Liu Hai dating from circa 1900. Crisply carved and displaying super patina with a good rich colour depicted standing wearing robes, holding a three legged frog in his arms.
Liu Hai is often considered as a harbinger or god of wealth and often depicted with a collection of coins. His character is based on an historic figure, Liu Haichan, who was a Tang dynasty Minister of State. He was said to have been a proficient student of Daoist magic; he is also credited as a patriarch of the Quanzhen School, and a master of neidan “internal alchemy” techniques. Mythology then takes up his story in which he learned the secret of immortality from the Chan Chu (“Three-legged Money Toad”). The three-legged frog, known in Chinese culture as the Jin Chan or Money Toad, is a popular mythical Feng Shui symbol, it is said to appear near homes or businesses during a full moon to bring good news about wealth. Liu Haichan is associated with other Daoist transcendents, especially Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin, two of the Eight Immortals.
Construction/Wood
Hardwood
Condition Report
Good condition with good patina. Wear and marks commensurate with age. Old brass fitting to the top, where at some point is was later converted to a lamp (no wires or electrics remain).
Dimensions
Width: 12cm
Depth: 12cm
Height: 37cm
