Set of 4 Chinese Porcelain Ba Xian Plaques

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Set of 4 Chinese porcelain Ba Xian plaques, finely painted scenes in polychrome glazes of two of the Chinese Eight … Read more Set of 4 Chinese porcelain Ba Xian plaques, finely painted scenes in polychrome glazes of two of the Chinese Eight Immortals per plaque, all bordered on four sides with with polychrome, curving, leafy flowering vines on a yellow ground with a smaller border of pink fleur-de-lys. Each plaque is signed, with three, red seal marks and a short inscription in caoshu script. The four plaques are mounted in matching, original, finely carved, traditional, Chinese frames with original Chinese bronze hangers. The backs of the frames are later additions. Circa Republic of China era.

each plaque: 22.25" high x 15.25" wide x 1" deep (site size 14.5" high x 9.5" wide)

3rd pic: Lü Dongbin: (呂洞賓), a scholar and poet considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals.
He Xiangu: (何仙姑), the only female of the group, often depicted holding a lotus flower.

Fourth pic: Lan Caihe: (藍采和), originally pictured as female later developed a a "transformative"
gender and is considered the patron of florists and gardeners.
Zhang Guolao: (張果老), a fangshi symbol of longevity.

Fifth [pic: Han Xiangzi: (韓湘子), a flute artist.
Li Tieguai: (李鐵拐), considered to be mentally disturbed and associated with medicine and
easing the suffering of the sick and needy, identified by his iron crutch and calabash bottle.

Sixth pic: Han Zhongli: (汉鍾離), associated with death and the power to create silver and gold, often
depicted holding a fan.
Cao Guojiu: (曹國舅), related to a Song dynasty emperor before he became an immortal. See less