Various Owners
An agate 'Liu Hai' snuff bottle
Qing dynasty
Of slightly compressed globular form rising to a cylindrical neck from a hollowed foot, one side carved with the figure of Liu Hai with his three legged toad before him, the mythical beast depicted holding a length of cord in his mouth that ends in two large tassels, the reverse with a long scroll, the organic dark brown inclusions skillfully utilized to highlight the details of the carvings.
6.6cm high.
Of slightly compressed globular form rising to a cylindrical neck from a hollowed foot, one side carved with the figure of Liu Hai with his three legged toad before him, the mythical beast depicted holding a length of cord in his mouth that ends in two large tassels, the reverse with a long scroll, the organic dark brown inclusions skillfully utilized to highlight the details of the carvings.
6.6cm high.
Sold for
HK$ 25,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Liu Hai is a prevalent subject among minor arts carvers. He is a symbol of good fortune and the cord he carries is strung with five gold pieces of cash that the figure uses to tempt his mythical animal in the event that it escapes. The legend illustrates the lure of money.
清 瑪瑙雕劉海戲金蟾圖鼻煙壺
Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art
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