Lot 138A
East Asia, China, late Ming to Qing Dynasty, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. A dignified brass figure depicting Shoulao, the God of Longevity, portrayed with his characteristic elongated bald head and flowing beard. He holds the peach of immortality in one hand and a gourd in the other, both potent emblems of long life and divine blessing. The robe is finely incised with auspicious patterns and inscriptions, including a vertical line on the front sash reading "Shou bi nan shan - Live as long as the Southern Mountains," a traditional wish for enduring vitality. On the reverse, the inscription reads "Feng - Present with respect." Shoulao, linked to the Canopus star of the South Pole, was one of the most beloved deities of Daoist cosmology, appearing as a benevolent old man whose peach derived from the legendary tree that bore fruit only once in thousands of years. In Chinese tradition, he is one of the Fu-Lu-Shou triad - the three gods of happiness, wealth, and longevity - and in Japan, he is counted among the Seven Lucky Gods. Size: 4.3" L x 5.8" W x 12" H (10.9 cm x 14.7 cm x 30.5 cm)
The present example captures both the spiritual authority and genial warmth of the deity, making it a powerful devotional and decorative object for households of the period.
Provenance: private Ferndale, Washington, USA collection
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#197418
- Condition: Missing staff. Indentations to head as shown. Weathering to surface, but otherwise nice presentation with good detail and rich encrustations.
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