Antique
Chinese Boxwood Corbel
Taoist
Immortal
Zhang
Guo Lao
Early Republic, Circa: early 1900S'
H
18 in.(46cm), W 7.5 in.(19cm), D 6 in.(15cm)
Condition: age cracks, o.a. good! A
highly polished and stained tight grain Huangyang wood corbel, pillar strut or
candle holder. Carved in Qing style exhibiting the simplicity of design and pronounce
contours for which traditional Chinese carvings are known. Here immersed in the
clouds and flying sash is the Taoist Immortal Zhang Guo Lao. He is seen here standing
on one foot above a longevity peach, with inlaid eyes and teeth gleaming on a
benevolent smiling face, one hand waving joyously, while holding near to his chest
is his attribute of a bamboo music instrument. The carving is lively revealing
his whimsical character. For he was known to be the most eccentric of all the
Eight Immortals. As legend has it, during the Tang dynasty (7th-8th century),
the emperor Ming Huang wish to attach him to his court, but Zhang Guo Lao would
not give up his wandering life. On the second summons from the court he disappeared
on a white mule, then attained immortality into the Taoist Pantheon. See
a Matching Pair...
Sold
To Private Collection |  |
