A FAHUA-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF THE DAOIST IMMORTAL LI TIEGUAI, MING DYNASTY
A FAHUA-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF THE DAOIST IMMORTAL LI TIEGUAI, MING DYNASTY
Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 5 August 2026, based on sample number C126j91, sets the firing date of both samples taken between 400 and 700 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.China, 14th-16th century. Finely modeled standing on a swirling cloud base, the immortal depicted holding his long crutch in one hand, and placing the second on his hip, wearing an official’s cap with a floral ornament and voluminous belted robes glazed in deep aubergine, turquoise, amber, and cream tones. The face is powerfully modeled with a fierce expression, furrowed brows and a broad nose.Provenance: London trade. By repute acquired from a private collection in the United Kingdom. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear and manufacturing irregularities including dark spots and firing cracks. Small chips to base, minor glaze flaking and craquelure.Weight: 5.3 kg Dimensions: Height 44.5 cmLi Tieguai, aka Iron-Crutch Li, is one of the Eight Daoist Immortals and is traditionally shown as a lame, carrying an iron crutch, often accompanied by a double-gourd containing medicines or magical vapors. His outwardly rough appearance conceals his status as an enlightened immortal, making him one of the most distinctive and recognizable figures in the Daoist pantheon.Literature comparison:Compare a related turquoise and aubergine glazed biscuit figure of Li Tieguai, late 16th-early 17th century, 30 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number FE.34-1978.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2021, lot 313 Price: HKD 302,400 or approx. EUR 37,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A large standing figure of Weituo, Ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glazes. Note the larger size (54.8 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 438 Price: USD 75,000 or approx. EUR 93,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A fahua-type figure of an immortal, China, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glazes. Note the smaller size (27.6 cm).
A FAHUA-GLAZED POTTERY FIGURE OF THE DAOIST IMMORTAL LI TIEGUAI, MING DYNASTY
Scientific Analysis Report: A thermoluminescence analysis report issued by Oxford Authentication on 5 August 2026, based on sample number C126j91, sets the firing date of both samples taken between 400 and 700 years ago, consistent with the dating above. A copy of the report accompanies this lot.China, 14th-16th century. Finely modeled standing on a swirling cloud base, the immortal depicted holding his long crutch in one hand, and placing the second on his hip, wearing an official’s cap with a floral ornament and voluminous belted robes glazed in deep aubergine, turquoise, amber, and cream tones. The face is powerfully modeled with a fierce expression, furrowed brows and a broad nose.Provenance: London trade. By repute acquired from a private collection in the United Kingdom. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear and manufacturing irregularities including dark spots and firing cracks. Small chips to base, minor glaze flaking and craquelure.Weight: 5.3 kg Dimensions: Height 44.5 cmLi Tieguai, aka Iron-Crutch Li, is one of the Eight Daoist Immortals and is traditionally shown as a lame, carrying an iron crutch, often accompanied by a double-gourd containing medicines or magical vapors. His outwardly rough appearance conceals his status as an enlightened immortal, making him one of the most distinctive and recognizable figures in the Daoist pantheon.Literature comparison:Compare a related turquoise and aubergine glazed biscuit figure of Li Tieguai, late 16th-early 17th century, 30 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number FE.34-1978.Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2021, lot 313 Price: HKD 302,400 or approx. EUR 37,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A large standing figure of Weituo, Ming dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glazes. Note the larger size (54.8 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 438 Price: USD 75,000 or approx. EUR 93,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A fahua-type figure of an immortal, China, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and glazes. Note the smaller size (27.6 cm).
