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A RARE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT DAOIST IMMORTALS' BRUSHPOT, BITONG 17th/18th century image 1
A RARE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT DAOIST IMMORTALS' BRUSHPOT, BITONG 17th/18th century image 2
Lot 82

A RARE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT DAOIST IMMORTALS' BRUSHPOT, BITONG
17th/18th century

Scholarly Gems from the Collection of Mr & Mrs Gerard Hawthorn
14 May 2025, 10:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £10,880 inc. premium

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A RARE CARVED BAMBOO 'EIGHT DAOIST IMMORTALS' BRUSHPOT, BITONG

17th/18th century
The cylindrical vessel resting on three shallow feet and rising to a channelled rim, intricately carved around the body with a scene depicting a gathering of the Eight Immortals in a pine grove, before a waterfall cascading down to a turbulent river strewn with rocks, Shoulao riding upon a crane above, amongst wispy vapour emanating from Li Tieguai's gourd flask, the scene framed within tall overhanging cliffs.
15.2cm. (6in) high.

Footnotes

十七/十八世紀 竹雕「八仙捧壽」圖筆筒

Provenance: Purchased from Hugh Moss, 1977 (collector's notes)

來源：1977年購於古董商Hugh Moss（藏家筆記）

The figures depicted on this brushpot are the Eight Immortals, each respectfully presenting themselves to the God of Longevity, Shoulao (壽老), who is shown riding on a crane amidst a sea of clouds. This composition embodies the auspicious pun baxian pengshou (八仙捧壽), which translates to 'Eight Immortals Presenting Longevity.' The image conveys wishes for a long and prosperous life, a theme deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in the context of birthday celebrations. The Eight Immortals, revered for their ability to grant blessings, are shown in their iconic forms, each holding a unique attribute symbolising virtues such as wisdom, strength, and good fortune. Their respectful presentation of Shoulao, the revered deity associated with longevity, amplifies the sentiment of well-wishing and auspiciousness. This theme, often used in birthday celebrations, aligns perfectly with the traditional Chinese desire for a long, healthy life and the hope for familial harmony and prosperity.

Though rarely depicted on bamboo brushpots, the subject is depicted in various other materials. See for example, a blue and white brushpot with the Eight Immortals celebrating Shoulao's birthday, Qing dynasty, in the Palace Museum, Taipei (acc.no.故瓷004242N000000000). Two rhinoceros horn cups with the Eight Immortals, in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, are illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, pp.197 and 199.

See a related carved bamboo 'Eight Immortals' brushpot, Kangxi, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 17 May 2024, lot 270.

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A rare Chinese group of the Tyrolean Dancers, Qianlong period, circa 1752
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Birodo Yuzen Meiji era (1868-1912)
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