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Oriental Cold Cast Bronze Three-legged Money Toad browse these categories for related items... Directory: Gifts & Home Decor:Decorative Art:Metalwork:Contemporary: item # 275061 Please refer to our stock # FF5 when inquiring.
Farthings of Exmoor Farthings Church Hill Lynton Exmoor Devon 0044(0) 1598 753744 Guest Book "£24" |
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Three-legged Money Toad sitting on multi-lobed leaf cast in cold cast bronze. The head is rather slightly stylised, with heavy “brow ridges “, and a mouth wide even by toad standards, making him rather reminiscent of oriental pictures of demons. A bronze string extends from either side of his mouth, round his neck and down his back, and on either end of the string are strung six coins. The entire piece of work is fantastically ornate – the ends of the string, below the coins, end in ornate tassels, and every scale on the toad’s back and forelegs is reproduced in loving detail. The lower jaw and belly are absolutely smooth, apart from two concentric semi-circles, which indicate where the jaw ends and the chest begins. Measurements – leaf approx 3 inches by 3 inches at widest point. Entire ornament approx 2 inches high. Green felt base.
The three-legged toad of a tenth century Chinese alchemist named Liu Hai, known in Japan as the Gama Sennin or "Toad Immortal." The Japanese and Chinese call the toad Chan Chu or "Three-legged Money Toad," but legend has it that nobody has ever learned its real name. Liu Hai captured and learned the secret of immortality from the toad. If memory serves, he could lower the toad by a string into the well where he found it, and when he pulled it out, its mouth would be full of gold coins. |
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