CHINE, DYNASTIE MING, ÉPOQUE WANLI (1573-1619)

The present figure is likely to represent He Xiangu, one of the Eight Daoist Immortals, depicted here as a standing female figure rendered in underglaze blue porcelain and attributable to the Wanli period. The identification is suggested by her full facial features, distinctive high double coiffure, and particularly by the flowering stem held in her right hand, probably intended as a lotus bud, a common attribute associated with He Xiangu.