~ Chinese Qing Dynasty Jadeite Jade Wise Old Man ~
A small carved figure of a bearded elderly man in flowing, richly draped robes, his hands drawn together at his chest and his head distinctly domed and elongated above a finely lined brow, in keeping with the traditional iconography of Shoulao, the Daoist God of Longevity. He appears to hold a rounded, knobbly object near his shoulder, most likely a peach or a double gourd, the two attributes most associated with him, retaining small natural patches of apple green against the otherwise white to pale cream stone. The figure stands separately within a carved dark hardwood stand of naturalistic rocky form, the front and sides carved with a band of stylised foliate scrollwork.
~ Historical Context ~
Shoulao, also known as Shouxing or the Old Man of the South Pole, is one of the Sanxing, the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity, together the most popular trio of auspicious deities in Chinese decorative art. He is traditionally shown as an elderly man with an exaggerated, swollen forehead symbolising wisdom and great age, almost always carrying a gnarled staff, a peach said to extend life by six hundred years to anyone who eats it, and a gourd containing the elixir of life. Figures of this kind were carved in very large numbers in white to pale green hardstone from the late Qing dynasty through the Republic period and on into the twentieth century, both for the domestic Chinese market, where they were given as birthday and longevity gifts, and for the export trade to Western buyers. The popularity of the subject means surviving examples range enormously in quality, from finely worked pieces to simpler commercial carvings such as this one, intended for everyday display rather than ceremonial use.
~ Dimensions ~
It has a base measuring 2.25 inches (5.9 cm) by 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) & a height of 3.5 inches (9 cm).
It weighs 110g
~ Condition ~
The piece is in great condition with no cracks or chips.
#1233
