Chinese Export Immortal Figures Mounted on the Back of Animals, Circa 1780

Chinese Export Immortal Figures Mounted on the Back of Animals,

Circa 1780.

The figures depict two immortals riding riding mythical beasts; Cao Guojiu with castanets on a white horse, and Lan Caihe with a floral basket on a white elephant.

Dimensions: 8 1/4 inches high (21 cm).

Cao Guojiu is believed to be a descendant of Cao Bin, a general of the early Song dynasty, and a younger brother of Empress Cao, the wife of Emperor Renzong of the Song dynasty; Lan Caihe is not generally thought to be based on a historical person but is traditionally said to have been born sometime during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 CE).
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The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary xian (“immortals”) in Chinese mythology. Each immortal’s power can be transferred to a power tool that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight tools are called the “Covert Eight Immortals“. Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in the secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Penglai Mountain Island.

Reference:
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For two immortals of the same model (but with different figures), see Christie’s NY, The Tibor Collection: A Noble Eye for Chinese Export, 2019.

Rosalie Wise Sharp, Ceramics, Ethics & Scandal, p. 210 ( for a complete set).

William R. Sargent, Chinese Porcelain in the Conde Collection, Madrid, 2014, pp. 170-171 for some examples.

(Ref: NY10459-uair)

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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