Lot 124. A fine puce-enamelled blue and white 'Eight Immortals' bowl, Daoguang seal mark and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate HK$ 150,000 - 200,000 (€18,000 - 23,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Note: The Eight Immortals is a group of legendary Daoist deities, which includes Lu Dongbin, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Zhong Liquan, Li Tieguai and Cao Guojiu.

The scene depicted on the present lot is that of 'The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea'. Legend has it that the Eight Immortals were en route to attend the Gathering of the Peaches of Immortality when they encountered an ocean, necessitating each of the Immortals to exercise their individual ability to traverse the vast body of water. The Chinese proverb of Ba Xian guohai, gexian shentong is derived from this legend, representing the moral teaching that for a plan to succeed, each individual is required to do his part.

A similar puce-enamelled and blue and white 'Eight Immortals' bowl, Daoguang seal mark and period, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 April 2017, lot 3706.

A fine puce-enamelled blue and white 'Eight Immortals' bowl, seal mark and period of Daoguang (1821-1850), 22.1 cm, 8 5/8 in. Lot sold 225,000 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 April 2017, lot 3706. Photo: Sotheby's.

(Cf. my post A fine puce-enamelled blue and white 'Eight Immortals' bowl, seal mark and period of Daoguang (1821-1850)

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 30 May 2017, 15:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY