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Chinese Stone Carving Liu Hai. Stand. 17/18th.century browse these categories for related items... All Items: Chinese: Carvings: Hardstone: Pre 1800: item #971998 Please refer to our stock #b5284 when inquiring.
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| A Rare & Unusual Chinese Carved Fossiliferous Limestone Group on Hardwood Stand of Liu Hai. Qing Dynasty 8 1/4 x 9 1/8 x 5 1/2 ins. (21 x 23.2 x 14 cms) Liu Hai and his 3-legged toad companion are a potent symbol for good luck and financial prosperity. Feng-Shui advocates recommend the placing of representations of Liu Hai in living areas to ensure financial success for the home. Details of the Liu Hai legend can be found on Google. This group is unusual because it is carved in Fossiliferous Limestone, a material usually used on a smaller scale for snuff bottles. The tiny fossil circles can be seen on the details of the base. It is also unusual that Liu Hai is attached by his coat sleeves to tails of two Dogs of Fo, the traditional guardians of the Buddhist religion. He is tempting the 3-legged toad by dangling cords laden with cash or coins in front of the creature. The group would probably have resided on a scholars desk for good luck. The top of Liu Hai's head is polished by repeated handling, presumably to ensure good luck and the stone is decorated with red and black lacquer and white paint. The edges are red lacquered and cut through to the base stone with leaf motifs. There is a fitted hardwood stand on which two stretchers are missing (see photos) Condition is very good with no damage, except for the expected wear to the lacquer, and no repairs. There is a scratch on base (see photos) It dates to the 17/18th. centuries. | ||