Ivory Carving - Immortals Group - Chuan Chung-Li & Lu Tung-Pin

Antiques > Ivories Dealer: Smokee's Contact: Henry Hebing - Email Dealer
Price: $1,500.00 USD  - Currency Converter Shipping inside United States: $125.00 Shipping outside United States: Quoted at time of purchase

Description: AUCTION ESTIMATE = $2,500 - This is an IVORY GROUP of the Taoist Immortals Chuan Chung-Li & Lu Tung-Pin seated at a table where two huge peaches reside. This group stands 10 1/2" tall without the custom hardwood stand and weighs 3 POUNDS, 6 OUNCES. The peach in Chinese mythology is the symbol of long life. It was the peach that gave immortality to the Immortals and was the elixir of life to the Daoists. It is also a symbol for marriage, spring and immortality. The peach tree of the gods was said to blossom once every 3,000 years and the fruit of eternal life took another 3,000 years to ripen. CHUAN CHUNG-LI was born in the 3rd Century AD. During the Han Dynasty, he was an Army General (Marshall of the Empire). He is said to have discovered the elixir of life and his symbol is the peach. After meeting an old man who taught him about the Tao, he left government service, and went to the mountains becoming a wanderer and a beggar. Once while meditating, the stone wall of his mountain dwelling crumbled exposing a jade box. The box contained secret meditation instructions on how to become an Immortal. He followed the instructions, and one day his chamber was filled with rainbow clouds and celestial music. A crane arrived and carried him on its back into the regions of immortality. After that he was able to wander among the heavens by himself. During a great famine he changed copper and pewter into gold and silver giving it to the poor, thus saving thousands of lives. He taught Lu Tung-Pin the secrets of Taoism after convincing him of the emptiness of life, and persuaded him to join in his blissful life as a fellow Immortal. He is portrayed as bearded and thinly clad. He has often reappeared on earth as a messenger of heaven. LU TUNG-PIN is the hero of marvelous wisdom who resides on Stork Peak. He was born during the 8th century AD and is said to still be alive. He was a Confucian scholar who converted to Taoism after being initiated into the secrets of internal alchemy by fellow Immortal Chung-Li Chuan. Lu Tung-Pin carries a horse hair whisk which symbolizes his ability to fly through the air and walk on clouds. He is always portrayed with a double -edged ("demon slaying") magic sword strapped on his back. This sword of supernatural powers was given to him by a dragon. It allows him to hide in the heavens and to make himself invisible to evil spirits. His three-part beard symbolizes the three Thrusting Channels used in internal alchemy. He can travel thousands of miles in an instant and was known to roam about China seeking those with kind hearts, especially those who risked their comfort and well-being in order to help others in great need. Upon discovering such persons, he would use his supernatural powers to help them transform themselves into Taoist Immortals. He also took every opportunity to embarrass and punish the rich and powerful when he caught them oppressing those who were powerless and poor. The Chinese masses have always loved and respected this Immortal, the "Ancestor Lu". He spent 400 years on earth, and periodically reappears. He is accessible through mediums or through direct communication during meditation. The artist's signature is engraved on the underside of the ivory platform upon which the two immortals reside. This carving is 100% genuine elephant IVORY and in EXCELLENT CONDITION. It was HAND CARVED and HAND SCRIMSHAWED and SIGNED in China by a gifted master craftsman in the early 1900s. It has a lovely patina that nature has chosen to bestow upon it. This carving is UNIQUE and exhibits beautiful IVORY GRAIN which is guaranteed to be clearly visible. The ivory has been highly polished and exquisitely detailed. The quality of the ivory, the quality of the carving and the quality of the scrimshaw work are all exceptional. This carving was legally imported into the USA and can only be shipped to locations within the USA. In January of 2006 Columbus (the experts in Asian art) provided an auction estimate on this piece of $2,500. Auction estimates are conservative and typically well below appraised values. This wonderful work of art would make a splendid addition to your collection of fine Asian ivory art and should only increase in value over the years. Dimensions: 10.50" x 8.25" x 5.25" Weight: 3 pounds, 6 ounces Signature: Engraved

Status: For Sale	Reference#: O_171
Condition: See Description	Year: See Description
Country: China
Height: 10.50 in. (26.67 cm)	Depth: 5.25 in. (13.34 cm)
Width: 8.25 in. (20.95 cm)	Weight: 3.38
Materials: Ivory

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