Chinese art is generally not whimsical but the ceramic objects made by Shiwan potters always make me laugh. This is another one - a three legged toad with big bulgy eyes and warty skin planter that is so favored by Southern Chinese in the Mainland, Hong Kong, Singapore and Southeast Asia.
This Three Legged Toad is a good representation of mid 20 century product from Shiwan, or Shekwan the pottery center of South China. Shiwan has a rich history, the Shiwan potters claimed their ancestry from the Song Dynasty potters of Zhejiang who fled the Mongol invasions in the 13 century and they settled in the fertile delta of the Pearl River where the sand and local minerals replicated their materials from their former pottery. They settled in Shiwan near the city of Foshan, near the Provincial Capital of Guangzhou (Canton.)
Shiwan in the 20 century was the pottery center of South China where they made many pottery items for the household. However, there was a group of creative potters who produced artistic products. This Three Legged Toad planter is one of the garden related pottery they produced. It can be used as a flower pot or decorative object. There are one drainage hole found in all planters.
A Three Legged Toads is an auspicious symbol. It is related to the story of Liu Hai, a Daoist Immortal who has a three legged toad. The toad likes to run away sometimes and in order to lure him back, Liu Hai has a jingle a chain of coins. Therefore the three legged toad became a popular symbol of wealth.
The green glaze used here is very typical of Shiwan. The turquoise green glaze can be found in the ginger jars that were late 19th and early 20th century Chinese imports. The crackle under the green glaze is a good sign of age. Shiwan pieces are very spontaneous, there is an area that is not glazed.
Dimensions: 7" x5" x6.5" High
Date: ca 1950's