Figurine

Figurine

2007.041.001 A-H : set of painted ceramic figurines of the eight Chinese Immortals. Each approximately 12" in height. The Eight Immortals are Taoist representations of historical figures who have attained immortality. A: identified as Chung Li-ch'uan able to revive the souls of the dead with a magic fan. He is depicted as a beaded figure wearing a red open robe with a fan attached at his waist. B: identified as elder Chang Kuo-Lao who rides a magical white horse and carries a fish-drum. Depicted as a white-bearded figure wearing a hat gold and red robe holding a gray fish-drum. C: identified as Lu Tung-Pin who carries a magic sword and is the patron saint of barbers. Depicted wearing a dark green robe and holding a sword under his left arm two fingers extended on his right hand. D: identifed as Ts-ao Kuo-chui venerated by theatrical performers; depicted wearing dark green court dress and carrying a pair of castanets. E: identifed as Li T'ieh-Kuahi a disciple of Lao Tzu whose spirit after visiting the celestial regions was forced to take on the physical form of a beggar with a lame leg. Depicted bare-chested in beggar's robes with a crutch and gold-colored gourd and a blue band around his forehead. F: identified as Han Hsiang-tzu the philosopher. Depicted wearing dark blue robe black and gold hat and carrying a fly whisk. G: identified as Lan Ts-ai-ho gender ambigious depicted wearing an orange robe and carrying a basket of flowers. Patron saint of gardeners. H: identified as Ho Hsien-ku whose immortality is as a result of her diet of mother-of-pearl. She is depicted wearing a red robe decorated with flower motifs and carries a long-stemmed lotus and a long-stemmed lotus leaf. ------------------------------------ Further information see Aero Rita 1980. Things Chinese. Garden City NY: Doubleday & Company Inc. page 90.

2007.041.001