Ming dynasty “Eight Immortals + Shou Xing + deer” jar, Jingdezhen ware, underglaze blue, Jingtai reign (1449-1457). Magnificent Ming dynasty jar with Immortal figures from Chinese Taoist mythology, wishing for longevity: 10 immortals, clouds, mountains, rocks, pines, flowing water, which all represent wish for longevity. Height: 13" = 33 cm; Diameter: 11.5" = 29.2 cm; Open mouth inside: 5 inches = 12.7 cm; Open mouth outside: 5.75 = 14.6 cm; Base: 8 inches = 20.32 cm; Weight 14 lb. = 6.35 kg;’ Handmade, with wavy finger prints, made during rotating of the potter wheel. Partial glaze inside. Proves of authenticity: 1) Devitrification (fading of the colors, lack of luster): fading of the glaze, which happens over several hundred years. 2) The surface of the vase is smooth and cool to touch and slightly wavy (with wavelength 2.0 cm) according to the movement of the potter’s hands during rotating of the potter’s wheel 3) Obvious presence of gas microscopic bubbles visible at 50 magnification, which proves the age of several hundred years and more. 4) Iron orange unglazed foot, introduced in Ming dynasty Provenance: private collection in St Petersburg, Florida The 8 Immortals are: 1. He Xiangu (何仙姑), in modern context generally seen as the only female of the group, often depicted holding a lotus flower. -Yes 2. Cao Guojiu (曹國舅), related to a Song dynasty emperor before he became an immortal. 3. Li Tieguai (李鐵拐), considered to be mentally disturbed and associated with medicine and easing the suffering of the sick and needy,[1] identified by his iron crutch and calabash bottle.[2] 4. Lan Caihe (藍采和), originally pictured as female; later becoming ambiguous, and is considered the patron of florists[3][4] and gardeners.[5] 5. Lü Dongbin (呂洞賓), a scholar and poet considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals. 6. Han Xiangzi (韓湘子), a flute artist. -Yes 7. Zhang Guolao (張果老), a fangshi symbol of longevity. -Yes 8. Zhongli Quan (鍾離權), associated with death and the power to create silver and gold, often depicted holding a fan. -Yes In literature before the 1970s, they were sometimes translated as the Eight Genies. Some stories had them all "cheerfully addicted to wine", so they were called the "Jiu-zhong Ba Xian" or "Eight Drunken Immortals".[6] First described in the Yuan Dynasty, they were probably named after the Eight Immortal Scholars of the Han. The Old Man of the South Pole (Chinese & Japanese: 南極老人), also called the Old Immortal of the South Pole (Chinese: 南極仙翁), Xian of Longevity (Chinese: 壽仙), or Star of Longevity (壽星; shòuxīng), is the Taoist deification of Canopus, the brightest star of the constellation Carina. He is typically portrayed with long white hair and beard, a protruding forehead and a healthy pink complexion. His right hand often holds a peach and left hand a walking staff with a calabash gourd, which is said to contain the elixir of life. He can also be portrayed as riding a crane or a deer, often accompanied by disciples.[1] He is one of the symbols of happiness and longevity in Far Eastern culture. Similar vase is exhibited in Palace museum Beijing, p 427-428, fig 8.32 (Li Zhiyan, 2010) References: 1. Chinese ceramics, from Paleolithic period through the Qing dynasty, by Li Zhiyan, 2010, 686 pages, Yale University Press, London and Foreign Languages Press, Beijing, p 427-428, fig 8.32 2. Allen’s authentication of Ancient Chinese Ceramics, by Anthony J. Allen, 2006, new Zealand, 340 pages. END