A bronze of Shoulao - Ming

Seated on rockwork throne, flanked by a crane and a deer, on later base, 50cm high (total) - Sold for £380 plus Premium and tax 

Bonhams. Asian Art and European Ceramics and Glass, 6 Dec 2007. Edinburgh

Note : The God of Longevity (Shoulao) with a Deer, carved in ivory, depicts the function of gods in relation to aspects of nature in late Ming Dynasty, China. Using body language and posture, the artist conveys the Chinese values of intelligence through maturity and experience, as well as immortality. The human figure, the ancient Chinese Taoist god of long life and luck, has a large protruding bald head in proportion to his other facial features. His mouth appears to be closed and his eye-lids droop to expose only slivers of his eyes; thus, the figure’s relaxed facial muscles indicate an inner serenity and contentment. The figure also has a furrowed brow, the archetypal indication of elderly wisdom. A lengthy beard extends from below his nose to his mid-section, leaving his pursed, upward-curving lips visible. Also, he sports a long-sleeved robe-like garment. In addition, he appears in a flexible genuflection position, and he rests his right elbow on his right knee. In his right hand, he supports himself with a knotty staff. A deer, the Taoist symbol of long life and the only animal capable of locating the “sacred fungus”, lies on the left side of Shoulao. Furthermore, the deer’s upright, frontal-facing head and open eyes reveal a sense of vigilance and attentiveness.

During the Ming Dynasty, a period famous for the decorative arts and painting, scholars stressed study of the natural world. After the termination of Mongol rule in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Zhu family established the Ming Dynasty and infused Ming culture with a combination of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian ideals. The philosophies of these three religions with regard to nature are essentially the same: a spiritual balance of humans, nature, and the cosmos. In addition, sculpture in the Ming Dynasty focused on perfecting ancient styles rather than developing new techniques. The God of Longevity (Shoulao) with a Deer is one of many figures carved from ivory during this period. Because Shoulao and the deer both represent the concept of long life and immortality, this piece portrays a harmonious connection between gods, or Shoulao, and the natural world, or the deer. This harmony is also apparent in the almost loving way in which the deer presses its body against Shoulao. The representation of the deer also symbolizes wealth, because the words for “deer” and “official salary” are homophones in Chinese. The concept of wealth, shown through the deer, draws a connection to the familiar use of ivory as a marker of affluence in ancient society due to its high price.

Similar to the ivory plaque of 10th-11th century Islamic and the ivory Ganesha of 14th-15th century India, the Shoulao figure portrays cultural connections to both nature and wealth. Although the God of Longevity is much smaller than the plaque and the Ganesha, this figure fully displays the harmonious and peaceful lifestyle of ancient Chinese culture, as well as the importance of maintaining a respectful relationship with nature. (www.marymount.k12.ny.us)