Page 149 - Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, London November 3, 2022

Screens were commonly used in ancient China to keep out draughts, The second and third plaques depicts various female Immortals
shut out light and partition rooms. Apart from practical functions including Magu attended by a spotted deer, symbolic of longevity;
however, screens also had an essential social and decorative function. He Xiangu carrying a basket of flowers, the only female in the Eight
In the Imperial halls, they were often used as backdrops to thrones, Immortals group; Guanyin, bodhisattva of compassion, standing on a
reinforcing the Imperial eminence and stature behind the throne. The Buddhist lion, and other deities carrying lingzhi fungi and jars storing
importance of such screens is further demonstrated in that no cost the elixir granting Immortality.
was spared in their production, using precious materials generously,
such as zitan and huanghuali woods, cinnabar lacquer, gilt on black The fourth and fifth panel some wizened old sages and female deities,
lacquer and embellishments with porcelain panels, hardstones, and as well as the remaining figures making up the Group of the Eight
cloisonné and painted enamels. Immortals, namely Li Tieguai standing on his double-gourd emanating
a cluster of a cluster of vaporous clouds, Zhang Guolao riding his white
The present plaques are exquisitely decorated with mythical imagery mule; Lan Caihe holding a basket of peaches, Can Guojiu holding a
of Daoist Immortals, auspicious flowers underscoring auspicious pair of clappers; Han Xiangzi carrying a flute; Zhongli Quan holding a
puns, rebuses and symbolism. Accordingly, the first panel on the fan; Lu Dongbin holding a whisk.
far left depicts Liu Hai tempting his three-legged toad with strings of
gold coins: together, they are symbolic of wealth and prosperity. The The sixth panel depicts the Hehe Erxian, the Twin Immortals, floating
Chinese word for ‘toad’, chan (蟾), is homophone with the character on the clouds, carrying a lotus he (荷) and a box he (盒), both
qian (錢). Bentah Liu Hai stands a sage holding a large peach: he may homophones with harmony (和) and union (合).
be Shou Lao, also known as Shouxing, Daoist God of Longevity. This
plaque thus underscores the auspicious wish for wealth, good fortune A pair of famille rose plaques, Qianlong, decorated with similar
and long life. subjects as the present examples, was sold at Bonhams London,
12 May 2022, lot 178.

FINE CHINESE ART | 147