GOD OF LONGEVITY.

19th-20th century, China. Nephrite: pale yellow-green with light brown markings. Known as “Shoulao” or “Shouxing” (The Star God of longevity), this popular image from Taoist lore is mentioned first in early Han chronicles, and the worship of Shouxing was sanctioned in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty (Little, p. 41, #13). As with the figure of Bodhidarma, there have been many legends associated with the original figure, in this case Laozi, a probably mythical but possibly historical person who by the Sui Dynasty was being represented as a deity (Pontynen, p. 308). The seated or standing Shoulao is frequently the subject of later Chinese works of art, appearing in such diverse media as painting, textiles, ivories, ceramics, and hardstone. Most commonly he appears in the guise of a standing fully-robed, stoop-shouldered elderly, bearded gentleman of benevolent appearance with a large (peach-shaped) head and wrinkled forehead. Supported by a staff of gnarled wood, which may have a gourd hanging from the crook, he carries a large peach or a ruyi scepter in one hand. He may be accompanied by a small boy carrying another peach, bats flying about his head, a crane, or a spotted stag (Palm, p. 130, #134; TCJ, p. 352 top; Watt Seattle, p. 85, #62; Keverne, p. 166, #96). The peach, stag, crane, fungal-shaped ruyi scepter, and gourd all have longevity connotations. This frontally-disposed carving illustrates the standing fully-bearded old man, supported by his large gnarled, gourdbearing staff and carrying a large peach in his right hand. A small boy, tucked behind his right sleeve, carefully holds a peach with both hands. The elongated earlobes draped over the hunched shoulders and the disproportionate size of the head, together with the lack of a neck, are formulaic “holy image” features of many later Chinese works of art. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 17.75″ x 11″ x 5.25″. (45.1 x 27.9 x 13.3 cm.) PROVENANCE: The Personal Collection of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt. CONDITION: Stone with contrasting fissures and seams throughout of rust brown color. Very good. 47671-17 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 3103

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3103	$0.00	GOD OF LONGEVITY. 19th-20th century, China. Nephrite: pale yellow-green with light brown markings. Known as “Shoulao” or “Shouxing” (The Star God of longevity), this popular image from Taoist lore is mentioned first in early Han chronicles, and the worship of Shouxing was sanctioned in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty (Little, p. 41, #13). As with the figure of Bodhidarma, there have been many legends associated with the original figure, in this case Laozi, a probably mythical but possibly historical person who by the Sui Dynasty was being represented as a deity (Pontynen, p. 308). The seated or standing Shoulao is frequently the subject of later Chinese works of art, appearing in such diverse media as painting, textiles, ivories, ceramics, and hardstone. Most commonly he appears in the guise of a standing fully-robed, stoop-shouldered elderly, bearded gentleman of benevolent appearance with a large (peach-shaped) head and wrinkled forehead. Supported by a staff of gnarled wood, which may have a gourd hanging from the crook, he carries a large peach or a ruyi scepter in one hand. He may be accompanied by a small boy carrying another peach, bats flying about his head, a crane, or a spotted stag (Palm, p. 130, #134; TCJ, p. 352 top; Watt Seattle, p. 85, #62; Keverne, p. 166, #96). The peach, stag, crane, fungal-shaped ruyi scepter, and gourd all have longevity connotations. This frontally-disposed carving illustrates the standing fully-bearded old man, supported by his large gnarled, gourdbearing staff and carrying a large peach in his right hand. A small boy, tucked behind his right sleeve, carefully holds a peach with both hands. The elongated earlobes draped over the hunched shoulders and the disproportionate size of the head, together with the lack of a neck, are formulaic “holy image” features of many later Chinese works of art. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 17.75″ x 11″ x 5.25″. (45.1 x 27.9 x 13.3 cm.) PROVENANCE: The Personal Collection of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt. CONDITION: Stone with contrasting fissures and seams throughout of rust brown color. Very good. 47671-17 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 3103 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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GOD OF LONGEVITY.