Page 125 - Christies IMportant Chinese Art Sept 26 2020 NYC

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF LENORA AND WALTER F.
BROWN
1585
A RARE FAMILLE VERTE CORAL-GROUND ROULEAU
VASE
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
The body is boldly decorated with four different depictions of
Liu Hai and his three-legged toad, with two smaller figures on
the neck, one depicting Li Bai, all reserved on a coral ground.
17æ in. (45 cm.) high
$30,000-50,000
PROVENANCE:
Louis Van der Heyden à Hauzeur (according to label).
Sotheby's Monaco, 9 February 1982, lot 134.
The Lenora and Walter F. Brown Collection, San Antonio, Texas.
This unusual vase depicts Liu Hai, dressed in an open robe
with a fur wrap around his waist, in four different animated
poses. He holds his vessel of cash in one, and seemingly
surprises his toad in another. The details are beautifully
rendered in black and famille verte enamels set against
the coral ground. Liu Hai is the immortal associated with
commercial success. He is nearly always portrayed with his
three-legged toad and cash, and conveys a wish for prosperity.
The three-legged toad itself has origins in the magical realm,
representing the unattainable. It was only in later Chinese
art that it was associated with Liu Hai. There are many
versions of the story of Liu Hai and his toad companion,
but the essential elements remain that as a reward for his
friendship, the toad revealed the secret to eternal life. Holding
the toad also allowed Liu Hai to travel anywhere in the world
instantaneously. The subject became a favorite decorative
motif across media throughout the Qing dynasty.

清康熙 珊瑚紅地五彩劉海戲蟾圖棒槌瓶