THE ORMOLU CIRCA 1740, THE PORCELAIN 18TH CENTURY

Details

A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED CHINESE PORCELAIN CENTERPIECE
THE ORMOLU CIRCA 1740, THE PORCELAIN 18TH CENTURY
The central rock formation with a toad emerging from a well, with waves to the front on an ormolu base elaborately cast with naturalistic foliage, shells and rockwork, previously drilled for electricity, restored breaks to porcelain, originally presumably with figure of Liu Hai to top, the ormolu regilt at the end of 18th Century
10½ in. (27 cm.) high, 13½ in. (34 cm.) wide, 10½ in. (27 cm.) deep

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk, New York.
By descent to the present owner.

Lot Essay

This unusual Chinese porcelain centerpiece tells the story of the Daoist immortal Liu Hai (his figure is now missing) who was accompanied by a poisonous toad. The toad would frequently fall down wells, and Liu Hai would lure him out by using a string of coins like a fisherman's lure which is depicted here with the toad grasping a frond of seaweed in his mouth. The link between the poisonous powers of the toad and the lure of Liu Hai's coins was intended to symbolize the dangerous power of money. Depictions of Liu Hai in coloured porcelain on this scale are rare - small scale depictions is jade and blanc de chine are known. See, for example, R. Blumenfield, Blanc de Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 58, fig. B.

More from THE COLLECTOR: English and European Furniture, Works of Art & Ceramics & Silver

View All