Madera - Una figura grande y extremadamente rara de Dong Fangshuo, dinastía Qing. - 25 cm

Qing dynasty
Height: 25 cm.

Superbly carved with full naturalistic detail in the form of the elderly figure depicted standing in relaxed poise, his jovial expression framed by a long beard and his hair neatly wrapped in a bunch, his right hand holding a leafy stem in the form of staf issuing the fruit of longevity, the left holding a peach, adorned in loose flowing robes tied at the waist in a knot, a double gourd and ruyi hung freely at the rear. Possibly bamboo.

Provenance: old private collection, Hoorn, The Neterlands

For a similar carved bamboo, but seated figure of Dongfang Shuo holding a peach, preserved in the Shanghai Museum, see Literati Spirit. Art of Chinese Bamboo Carving, Shanghai, 2012, p.115, no.051. Compare also a carved bamboo seated figure of Dongfang Shuo dated to 17/18th century from the Mr and Mrs Gerard Hawthorn Collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3 December 2008, lot 2324.

Additional Information:

Dongfang Shuo (c.160–93 B.C.) was a Han Dynasty scholar-official, appointed as court jester to Emperor Wu (r.141–87 B.C.). In Chinese mythology, Dongfang is considered a Daoist immortal and has been incarnated as a series of ancient ministers including Laozi.

The imagery of Dongfang Shuo holding a peach derives from the legend where he stole the peaches of immortality from the peach gardens of Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West. It is recorded in the third century text Han Wudi gushi or 'Precedents of Han Emperor Wu' and Nuowuzhi or 'Monograph on Various Matters', that when Xiwangmu presented Emperor Wu with seven of her peaches of immortality, she recognised Dong Fangshuo as one of her courtiers at Mount Kunlun, claiming that he was a reincarnation of his former immortal self and was temporarily banished into the mortal realm for stealing her fruits of longevity.

Note: It will be professionally packed and safely sent in a wooden crate within 3 working days by FedEx. Shipped with Insurance!

Condition: Very good condition. Wear consistent with the age, was removed from a stand.

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