Shòu XIng - China - XVIIth Century

This small bronze with traces of gilding, made in China during the Ming dynasty (16th/17th century) represents a Chinese god. Member of the triad of the “three stars”, or gods of happiness, our character is Shòu Xing. It is the star of Longevity, certainly the most popular and celebrated of the three, its presence presaging a period of peace, calm or prosperity. The wisdom of this spirit is found in the iconography attributed to it. Represented in the guise of an old man, wearing a large coat with wide sleeves, a bald and rounded head and a long mustache.