清十八／十九世紀 巧色白玉蛙

modelled in the round as a toad with bulging eyes and raised eyebrows, its body naturalistically detailed with characteristic bumps, crouching foursquare with powerful limbs and webbed feet, the translucent white stone of a chalky white tone slightly tinged with celadon, enhanced by russet patches, wood stand

Except for a nick of about 0.4 cm to the left hind leg of the toad, the overall condition is very good.
"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."

A series of green jade toads of similar proportions are known; for example see one attributed to the imperial collection included in the exhibition Chinese Jade. The Image from Within, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, 1986, cat. no. 228, from the collection of Gerard Godfrey. Compare also a greyish-white jade toad sold at Christie's New York, 11th December 1988, lot 91, with similar knobby skin; and another sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 1998, lot 335.

A white jade toad, attributed to the 18th century, from the Edward T. Chow collection was included in the exhibition One Man's Taste. Treasures from the Lakeside Pavilion, the Baur Foundation, Geneva, 1988, cat. no. J19; and for a carving of a white jade toad with Liu Hai, see James C.Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, pl. 106, from the Victor Shaw collection.

For toad figures in other mediums compare a rare puddingstone version published in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 87; and a rock chrystal toad included in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 309, from the Palace Museum, Beijing.