A PALE CELADON CARVING OF ‘LIU HAI AND ZHONGLI QUAN’, QING DYNASTY

The jade of pale celadon tone, the backside with one larger cloud and several smaller veins of russet. Good surface polish and fine patina.

China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century

Description, school, inscriptions, marks: Liu Hai is shown with a lingzhi in his hand, standing next to a tall Daoist immortal, most likely Zhongli Quan, holding a gnarly hiking pole, to which a large coin is suspended. Fin details such as beards and robes show neatly incised detail work.
There is a famous story about how Liu Hai was converted to Daoism. One day, at the height of his glory, Liu met a Daoist monk who called himself Zheng Yangzi "Master of Correct Yang" but was actually the renowned Immortal Zhongli Quan. He asked Liu to get ten eggs and ten gold cash coins (with a hole in the middle), and then placed a coin under each, and piled them one on top of another. Liu yelled "How dangerous!" and the Daoist smilingly replied, "The position of a prime minister is much more dangerous!" Liu was suddenly awakened, resigned from his position, gave up his wealth, left home, and went wandering.

Shape: Figural
Dimensions: Height 7,5 cm
Weight: 83,5 cm
Condition: Excellent, with only very minor wear
Provenance: German private collection

清代清白玉雕”劉海與鍾離權”
青白玉色調，背面一片雲狀及幾絲褐色沁，表面光滑，包漿細膩
中國，清朝，19世紀
品相極好
德國私人收藏