[“Liu Hai Xi Chan” clay figurine]
“Liu Hai Xi Chan” clay figurine, late Qing Dynasty, 15 cm high and 9 cm wide
The clay bangs hold money in the right hand and put it on the chest, and carry a box on the left shoulder. There is a toad inside, revealing half of the body. The money and toad in the statue imply “golden toad” and contain the life principle of “truth, goodness and beauty”
This statue is based on the myth and legend of “Liu Hai Plays Toad” in China. It is said that Liu Hai is a kind-hearted woodcutter. Hu Xiuying, the fox fairy, envies human life and falls in love with Liu Hai. While Liu Hai is out, Shi Arhat, the golden toad incarnation, pushes Hu Xiuying into the well, grabs her jewel and makes her show her true shape. Liu Hai finally defeated Shi Arhat, recaptured the treasure and saved Hu Xiuying. After the bang, people regard it as a “fairy” who helps the good and eliminates the evil
![图片[1]-“Liu Hai Plays Toad” Clay Man-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Qing dynasty/Sculpture/23931[1024].jpg)
![[Qing Dynasty] British female painter—Elizabeth Keith, using woodblock prints to record China from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China—1915-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-191x300.png)
