29.7 cm. （11 5/8 in.） high

Property from the Hongzhen Tang Collection, Hong Kong

Edward I. Farmer （1872-1942）, a well-known art dealer of Chinese ceramics and hardstones, located at 16 East 56th Street, New York. He is remembered by many as having an extensive collection of fine Chinese ceramics which were offered at auction in London, 20 November 1936； quoting in the catalogue that “from time to time in the course of his business he acquired a piece which he did not show even to his most privileged customers but kept for his own pleasure behind secret panels in one of his rooms…” In addition to his eclectic taste in Chinese art, Edward was even better known for his passion and flair for a fusion of Eastern and Western elements； he is known to be a foremost expert in mounting fine Chinese porcelains and jades with silver mountings and turning them into accentuated decorative lamps and desk accessories.

The immortal Liu Hai is often portrayed travelling with his companion, the three-legged toad. Together they form one of the most popular Chinese pantheons which represent wealth and prosperity. According to old folklore, Liu Hai was a Daoist practitioner who also holds office as a minister of the state in 10th century China. He befriended the magical toad who accompanied him wherever he went； the toad is said to possess the ability to teleport its owner to any destination he desires. The magical toad is also rumoured to have had a weakness for water and gold, so Liu Hai learnt to tempt it with a string of gold coins.

Provenance：
Edward I. Farmer, New York
Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 November 2011, lot 1026

Price estimate:
HKD: 700, 000 - 900, 000
USD: 89, 700 - 115, 400

Auction Result:
HKD: --