A RARE ENAMELED FIGURAL PORCELAIN BOTTLE

Details
A RARE ENAMELED FIGURAL PORCELAIN BOTTLE
18TH/19TH CENTURY

Molded as the Daoist immortal Li Tieguai holding a staff in his right hand, his robes falling open to reveal his chest and belly, a gourd vessel tied to his back, restoration, stopper

Provenance
Sold Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, November 21, 1974, lot 39

Lot Essay

This appears to be the only recorded example of this particular model
Li Tieguai is one of the eight immortals of Daoism. They are legendary beings said to have lived at various times and attained immortality through their studies of nature's secrets. They correspond in some measure to the eighteen luohan of Buddhism. Li Tieguai is always represented as a beggar leaning on a staff and holding or wearing a gourd. For further discussion see C. A. S. Williams, Outlines of Chinese Symbolism & Art Motives, New York, 1976, pp. 151-155