Jar, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Jiajing Period (1522-1566). Glazed porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration, 35.5 x 32 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Bloomfield Moore Collection, 1882-325.

This jar is decorated with the auspicious motif of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. Daoist deities from history and myth, the Eight Immortals appeared frequently in dramas and novels during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), most often presented crossing the sea, as on this piece. Their names are: He Xiangu, Cao Guojiu, Li Tieguai, Lan Caihe, Lu Dongbin, Han Xiang Zi, Zhang Guo Lao, and Zhongli Quan.