19th C. Chinese Qing Wood Corbels w/ Money Toad

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fine pair of hand-carved architectural panels or corbels featuring Liu Haichan, a transcendent immortal and the embodiment of wealth or prosperity. These panels are symmetrical with similarly intricate openwork motifs throughout. The jovial Liu Haichan is depicted with his characteristic string of square holed coins - oversized to be visible when viewing from below. He is accompanied by the three-legged money toad known as jin chan, an amphibian of good fortune, which is leaping to catch a coin. Liu Haichan used the toad for transportation, but the disgruntled creature would often escape and Liu Haichan would lure him back with his string of coins. This motif is known as "Liu Hai sporting with the toad," and is an auspicious symbol that was popular image to use on businesses and homes to ensure that wealth and prosperity found its way inside the building. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 15" L x 3.75" W x 24.5" H (38.1 cm x 9.5 cm x 62.2 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, between 1995 to 2010

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#168906
Condition Report: Signs of age and exposure to elements, but overall great condition with expected chips and nicks to high pointed areas. Stable pressure fissures and some softening to finer details, but motifs are clear and very good. Nice patina.