AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF PEWTER CANDLESTICKS LATE QING DYNASTY

each modelled with Liu Hai and his three-legged toad standing beside a tall leafy chrysanthemum stem, the heads of the flowers inset with coloured glass beads, all supported on a galleried rockwork base upon an elaborate pierced stand

Collection of Museum Umlauff, Hamburg.

 

These rare groups are in good overall condition with the exception of: (as illustrated to the left) loss of the rear right balustrade, the blue bead replaced, bends to the pricket, loss to the pigments, and minor scratches and dents: (figure on the right) back right foot bent slightly inwards, a dent to the back of the dog with associated cracking around the shoulder and leg, short cracks to either side of the central motif on the apron, a slight lean to the main stem, loss to the ruyi head issuing from the rockwork, re-soldering to the underside of the lotus sconce, solder break to his head band, loss to the pigments, and minor scratches and dents.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ceremonial and altar ornaments made in pewter are rare although the material is well known, with the earliest pieces produced in China attributed to the first century B.C. The majority of known pewterwares were made for the export market in the 19th century, however, a small number of vessels and ornaments, such as the present group, were made for domestic use for religious ceremonies. 

Inscriptions found on pewterwares indicate quality marking, maker or workshop of manufacture. Well known pewter workshops were based around the large coastal town and seaport of Shantou, also known as Swatow, located in the southeast of Guangdong province.    

For examples of pewterwares, see an altar garniture offered in these rooms, 9th May 1986, lot 535; and a large parcel-gilt pewter basin attributed to the late Ming and early Qing periods, from the collection of Nancy and Benno Schmidt, sold in our New York rooms, 27th February 1981, lot 276, and again at Christie's New York, 18th September 2003, lot 165. Compare also a pewter teapot made in the style of Yixing pottery illustrated in R. Soame Jenyns and William Watson, Chinese Art. The Minor Arts, London, 1963, pl. 69, from the collection of Mrs. Walter Sedgwick, London.

Liu Hai is an immortal depicted as a child wearing a headband accross his forehead, carrying a string of cash and accompanied by a three-legged toad. He is the God of Wealth based on a historical figure, Liu Yuanying, of the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The three-legged toad also represents wealth for its association with Liu Hai.