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Lot Essay
The spotted deer, or meihua lu (prunus blossom deer, a reference to the markings) was often portrayed with sacred lingzhi fungus and the long-lived pine. It was the familiar of Shoulao, and thus closely associated with longevity. For 18th century standing figures of deer see W.R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, p. 158 and p. 216.