Description

Porcelain; of tapered cylindrical form, painted in underglaze blue with the Attributes of the Eight Immortals and auspicious fruit, the shoulders with a leafy spray, the neck with a trefoil border with interspersed dots.

The Attributes of the Eight Immortals are: the fan of Han Zhongli; the guard and iron crutch of Li Tieguai; the fish drum (bamboo tube and two metal beaters) of Zhang Guolao; the lotus or bamboo siever of He Xiangu; the basket of flowers or peaches of Lan Caihe; the sword and fly whisk of Lu Dongbin; the pair of beaters for keeping time of Cao Guojiu; and the flute of Han Xiangzi.  These attributes became a decorative motif during the Qing dynasty, first appearing on porcelains of the Yongzheng era (1723-1735).

Jingdezhen, 1865-1900.

6.3cm