A pair of biscuit porcelain turquoise-glazed brushpots depicting Liu Hai and the three-leggedtoad amongst open rockwork

一對無釉青瓷綠松石釉筆筒，飾劉海戲三足蟾蜍於透雕岩石紋飾

China, Kangxi period 1662-1722, Qing dynasty

Supported on branch like ormolu mounts, French 18th century

This rare pair of turquoise-glazed biscuit brushpots (bitong) exemplifies the Kangxi-period scholar’s taste, later adapted for the European interior. Each vessel is naturalistically molded as a gnarled bamboo section bordered by pine—symbols of longevity and resilience. The iconography features the Immortal Liu Hai perched atop the rim, gazing down at a mythical three-legged toad, a motif synonymous with prosperity and luck. Achieved through copper oxides, the vibrant turquoise glaze was highly coveted by both the Chinese elite and 18th-century Western collectors. Mounted on later European gilt-bronze bases, the pair illustrates the sophisticated historical dialogue between Chinese porcelain and Western decorative arts.