Page 289 - Bonhams May 12 16 London

286 † Y Ф Lu Dongbin and Zhang Guolao are two components of The Eight
A FINE IVORY SET OF THREE ‘IMMORTALS AND BOYS’ Immortals, a group of legendary figures with semi-divine powers who
19th century attained immortality through self-cultivation. The group, formed during
The largest group naturalistically carved as the two Daoist Immortals the Jin dynasty (1125-1215), achieved massive popularity in the
Lu Dongbin and Zhongli Quan, the latter seated next to his fan and following periods thanks to the imperial patronage and the teachings of
gleefully pouring a pitcher of wine into his mouth, head tilted back, the Daoist Quanzhen sect of Shanxi Province.
his loose robes with coloured hems exposing his chest and rotund
belly, the stooped Lu Dongbin with sword and cap watching with Lu Dongbin was a subject of popular cults since the tenth century,
amazement and nearly about to spill his own cup, two young boys following his appointment as Miaotong Zhenren, 妙通真人 (the realized
with cropped tufts of hair joyfully clashing symbols and blowing a man of accomplished excellence) by Emperor Huizong of the Northern
trumpet, each with stands. Song dynasty (960-1125). Disguised as a magician, street performer
The largest 16.5cm (6 1/2in) high (6). and ink seller, Lu was also worshipped as the protector of tradesmen.
Thought of originating during the Later Han dynasty (AD 947– 950),
£20,000 - 30,000 CNY180,000 - 280,000 Zhongli Quan held many official posts before fleeing to the mountains
HK$220,000 - 330,000 and becoming disciple of the Lord Emperor of the East Mountain and
king of the Immortals.
十九世紀 牙雕道仙童子像 一組三件
A related ivory figure depicting the poet Li Bai, dated to the 18th
century , from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, illustrated in The
Oriental Ceramic Society’s Exhibition Catalogue, Chinese Ivories from
the Shang to the Qing, London, 1984, fig. 139 p. 117, shows a similar
degree of naturalism and gentle modelling; another related enamelled
ivory figure of a boy, from the collection of the late Honourable Mrs
Basil Ionides, Sussex, is dated to the 18th century and illustrated by
R. Jenyns, Chinese Art, Oxford, 1981, fig. 96, p.151.