Set Of Eight Polychrome Chinese Porcelain Figurines – Taoist Deities And Immortals

A rare and decorative set of eight polychrome Chinese porcelain statuettes depicting various figures and deities from traditional Chinese and Taoist iconography.

The figures are depicted standing in highly expressive poses, wearing richly decorated robes, with elaborate beards and hairstyles, and featuring numerous hand-painted details.

Notably among them are:

• a male figure with a long beard, wearing a light-colored robe decorated with dragons and blue motifs, holding a black staff or attribute;
• an old man with a long white beard, wearing a red and gold cap and holding a green scroll or object, possibly representing Shou Lao, a Taoist deity associated with longevity;
• a bearded figure with a jovial face, wearing a red and brown robe;
• a figure with a long black beard and a bare torso, wearing a large red robe, in a pose particularly characteristic of popular Chinese depictions;
• a dignitary wearing a long, richly decorated pale blue robe;
• two female figures, one of whom is a young woman carrying a basket filled with multicolored flowers—an attribute frequently associated with female Taoist immortals such as Lan Caihe or He Xiangu, depending on the depicted iconography.

The statuettes feature particularly rich polychromy, with shades of pink, green, turquoise, yellow, red, and blue, accented with gold. The garments are adorned with flowers, clouds, dragons, auspicious motifs, and traditional Chinese decorations.

Dimensions: approximately 24 to 26.5 cm in height, depending on the piece.

The composition is particularly interesting due to the number of figures depicted and the diversity of their poses, costumes, and attributes. The Eight Immortals (Bāxiān) are a major theme in Chinese art and are very frequently depicted on porcelain, particularly in Chinese export porcelain. Antique sets featuring Shou Lao and several of the Eight Immortals are documented in specialized collections and auctions.

Period: to be determined, likely antique/vintage Chinese production
Origin: China
Material: polychrome glazed porcelain
Height: approximately 24 to 26.5 cm
Number: 8 figurines
Decoration: polychrome, traditional Chinese motifs with gold highlights
Condition: generally good, with normal signs of age and use; please examine the photographs carefully, as they are an integral part of the description.

A particularly appealing decorative set for a collector of Chinese porcelain, Asian art, or chinoiserie.