A YELLOW AND BROWN JADE THREE-LEGGED TOAD PENDANT

Details

A YELLOW AND BROWN JADE THREE-LEGGED TOAD PENDANT
MING DYNASTY

The frog carved in the round with head raised and forelegs outstretched, the tear-shaped eyes finely carved, the single back leg tucked to the left side, the mouth pierced for suspension, the stone predominantly of yellow tone with a rich russet brown area to the back and underside and with a fine polish
2 3/8in. (6cm.) long, box

Literature

Kelley, 'Highlights of the Gerald Godfrey Jade Collection', fig. 10

Exhibited

Pacific Asia Museum, 1986, Catalogue, no. 58
San Antonio Museum of Art, 1986
The Dayton Art Institute, 1989, no. 72

Lot Essay

The three-legged toad is said to exist only on the moon, which it swallows during the eclipse, thereby symbolising the unobtainable. The 10th century minister Liu Hai was reputed to have a magical toad which transported him wherever he wished and which he was able to control with a string of gold coins.

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