China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, Polychrome Lacquered Wooden Group Representing Two Immortals

°°° Annual leave from Wednesday, August 13 to Monday, September 29, 2025 °°°

Polychrome lacquered wood group in imitation of bronze representing two Taoist Immortals

China, Fujian Province
Qing Dynasty, 19th century

The two Immortals, here Lu Dongbin and Li Tieguai, are represented on an openwork rock base.

°°° Lu Dongbin is represented standing, dressed in a monastic robe with carefully sculpted, flowing folds. The upper part of the garment, widely open, reveals the torso and a prominent belly. Both arms are raised, the left hand holding a fan, the fabric held by a golden belt from which two longevity peaches are suspended.
The face displays a jovial and benevolent expression, with narrowed eyes, rounded cheekbones and a half-open mouth suggesting laughter or joyful speech. The hairstyle, composed of strands delicately tied up in two buns, reveals a slightly domed skull evoking Shou-Lao, the mustaches and the full beard reinforcing the wisdom of the character. The feet are shod in braided sandals, visible under the hems of the garment.

The prominent belly, jovial smile, and posture are strongly reminiscent of Budai, while the facial features (domed forehead, long beard, and serene gaze) evoke Shou Lao, the Taoist god of longevity. The fusion of these characteristics underlines the religious syncretism specific to Chinese art, where the boundaries between Taoism, Buddhism, and popular religion are porous.

Lu Dongbin is one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism, a central figure in the Chinese popular pantheon. A scholar-poet of the Tang Dynasty, he was immortalized as a wandering sage, possessor of esoteric knowledge in alchemy and Taoist medicine. He embodies transcendence of the material world and access to enlightenment. He is venerated as a protector of scholars, a master of wisdom, and a spiritual benefactor.


°°° Li Tieguai is depicted seated, evoking a meditative retreat, his hands resting on his left knee, dressed in a monastic robe with delicate drapery leaving his right shoulder exposed, the latter with a gaunt appearance. He wears a single sandal on his left foot, two longevity peaches hang from his waist. On his back we can see a large water lily leaf, associated with spiritual purity, a fly swatter and a rolled-up rush straw mattress.
His face, with a jovial appearance, is characterized by squinting eyes, prominent cheekbones and a half-open mouth sketching a discreet smile. His eyebrows, mustache and thick beard, his hair falling over his shoulders, his forehead lined with wrinkles, his skull encircled by a headband.


Li Tieguai is undoubtedly the most singular of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. A figure both mysterious and profoundly human, he embodies detachment from social and bodily norms in favor of a higher spiritual accomplishment.
According to legend, his soul temporarily left his body during meditation, which was unfortunately cremated by one of his disciples. Forced to reenter a body, he reincarnated as a deceased lame beggar and retained this appearance as a testament to humility.

Fujian province, under the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), became a center of lacquer art thanks to its strategic location and natural resources. The city of Fuzhou, in particular, is distinguished by the rediscovery and development of ancient techniques, reinterpreted with great sophistication.

The fine details, the dynamism of the draperies, the realistic expression of the faces, as well as the perfect imitation of bronze highlight the excellence of the know-how of Fujian lacquer artisans.


Polychrome lacquered wood
Slight accidents and minor restorations
23 x 27.5 cm
Sotheby's sale on November 1, 2023, see the link below:
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/important-chinese-art-4/two-black-lacquered-wood-figures-of-luohan-qing

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