Page 212 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-597 (C-448)
Li Tieguai

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famille noire enamels on the biscuit, 30.2 (n %)
Widener Collection

TECHNICAL NOTES
The enamel is flaking off the right hand; two fingertips are real soul does not return in seven days, you may
missing, and other fingers have been repaired. cremate my body." On the sixth day the disciple's
mother fell ill, and he had to rush home, so he
PROVENANCE cremated the body. On the seventh day Li's spir-
Sir William Bennett [1852-1931]. (Gorer, London); sold 1910 to it returned, but his body was gone and he was
Peter A. B. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance not pleased. He thereupon possessed the corpse
from the Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of of a man who had starved to death, and rose up.
appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
Because of this, his form is that of a crippled
man—but he was not like this originally. 1
HIS PORCELAIN STATUETTE OF Li TlEGUAI was OIICC part Li Tieguai's robe is decorated with plum blossoms
Tof a set of the Eight Daoist Immortals. Li lived dur- against a black ground. The enamel colors also include
ing the Sui dynasty, in the late sixth century. The crutch dark and light green, yellow, and aubergine. The edges of
by which Li is recognized (Tieguai means "iron crutch") the robe and the top and bottom of the base have been
appears because he once left his body and when he left unglazed. The hair is executed with a heavy, glossy
returned found that it had been cremated. As a result he black enamel over a matte brown slip.
took the body of the first individual he saw, a crippled Many details are highlighted with black enamel over
beggar with a crutch. This story is related as follows in the yellow and aubergine (for example, the stamens of
the Liexian quan zhuan (Complete Biographies of the the plum flowers on the robe). The sides of the pedestal
Assembled Immortals) of 1598: are decorated with yellow and aubergine plum blossoms
Li Tieguai had an eminent disposition. He over a light green cracked ice ground. Triangular cloth-
attained the Dao at an early age. While cultivat- like folds hang over the front and back of the pedestal;
ing meditation in a mountain cave, Li Laojun these are decorated respectively with a checked diaper
[also called Laozi, the prime sage of Daoism pattern and a bamboo spray.
and supposed author of the Daodejing] and SL
Master Wanqiu [an immortal of the Shang
dynasty] often descended [from heaven] to his NOTES
mountain retreat, where they instructed him in i. Wang 1988,3:14.
Daoist teachings.
One day he was about to attend a meeting
with Laojun on Mount Hua [the sacred Daoist REFERENCES
peak in Shaanxi Province]. Li said to his disciple, 1910 Gorer: 20, no. 63.
"My physical body will remain here—if my ethe- 1947 Christensen: 20.

196 D E C O R A T I V E A R T S