Full Record |
| Title |
ivory statuette of Shoulao holding a staff and peach |
| Collection |
Artworld: Oriental Museum |
| Date |
17th century CE |
| Description |
Figurine of Shoulao, the Daoist god of longevity, carved from melon-yellow ivory. Shoulao is depicted as a bald-headed elderly man with a high forehead and a lined brow. He wears long flowing robes tied at the waist. In his right hand Shoulao holds a staff with a twisted, tapering shaft and an ornate jade finial carved in the shape of a recumbent dog. In his left hand he holds a peach, a symbol of longevity. His face is finely carved with a long beard and kind features.
The figure stands on a carved wooden base of swirling clouds. The figure has two small wooden pegs underneath that slot into two corresponding holes in the base to hold it in place. |
| Cultural Context |
Chinese |
| Id Number Current Accession |
L.2001.E7 |
| Id Number Former Accession |
E7 |
| Location Creation Site |
Zhonghua |
| Location Current Repository |
The Oriental Museum |
| Subject |
sculpture in the round, statuette |
| Measurements |
95 x 335 x 80 mm |
| Relation References |
Watson, W. 1984. Chinese ivories from the Shang to the Qing. London: British Museum, p. 89-97 |
| Rights |
Oriental Museum, University of Durham, Durham, 2002. All Rights reserved |
| Rights Owner |
OM |
| Work Type |
statuette |
