TWO FIGURES OF TANZI AND ONE FIGURE OF LIU HAI...
A Distinguished Collection of Jade Carvings, Part II, Lots 228-249
TWO FIGURES OF TANZI AND ONE FIGURE OF LIU HAI AND THREE-LEGGED TOAD
17th to 19th century
Comprising a green and russet jade figure of Tanzi, crouching beneath a deer pelt carved from the russet inclusions of the stone, the hands clasping a bucket in front of the chest; and a grey and black jade figure of Tanzi, with the right hand carrying a bucket and the left holding a staff, a deer skin carved from the black inclusions and draped over the head and back; and a white and brown jade figure of Liu Hai, portrayed with a joyful expression and raising a three-legged toad over his head. The largest: 5.8cm (2 1/4in) high. (3).
Footnotes
十七至十九世紀 郯子鹿乳奉親玉把件兩件及劉海戲蟾玉把件一件
The story of Tanzi (郯子) is recorded in the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars (二十四孝), a collection of stories illustrating filial piety. Tanzi's elderly parents suffered from eye ailments and were advised to drink deer's milk. To obtain it for them, Tanzi disguised himself in deer skin and entered the mountains to approach a herd. When a hunter nearly shot him, Tanzi revealed his identity and explained his actions. Moved by his filial devotion, the hunter helped him.
See a related white and russet jade figure of Tanzi, Qing dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 20th November 2025, lot 1079.
A Distinguished Collection of Jade Carvings, Part II, Lots 228-249
TWO FIGURES OF TANZI AND ONE FIGURE OF LIU HAI AND THREE-LEGGED TOAD
17th to 19th century
Comprising a green and russet jade figure of Tanzi, crouching beneath a deer pelt carved from the russet inclusions of the stone, the hands clasping a bucket in front of the chest; and a grey and black jade figure of Tanzi, with the right hand carrying a bucket and the left holding a staff, a deer skin carved from the black inclusions and draped over the head and back; and a white and brown jade figure of Liu Hai, portrayed with a joyful expression and raising a three-legged toad over his head. The largest: 5.8cm (2 1/4in) high. (3).
Footnotes
十七至十九世紀 郯子鹿乳奉親玉把件兩件及劉海戲蟾玉把件一件
The story of Tanzi (郯子) is recorded in the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars (二十四孝), a collection of stories illustrating filial piety. Tanzi's elderly parents suffered from eye ailments and were advised to drink deer's milk. To obtain it for them, Tanzi disguised himself in deer skin and entered the mountains to approach a herd. When a hunter nearly shot him, Tanzi revealed his identity and explained his actions. Moved by his filial devotion, the hunter helped him.
See a related white and russet jade figure of Tanzi, Qing dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 20th November 2025, lot 1079.
