Mythological & Large Chinese Famille Rose Vase Decorated With “8 Immortals Crossing a Sea” Early 20th century

Fabulous and large this is a Chinese ‘famille rose’ vase decorated with a mythological story of “Eight Immortals Crossing an Ocean”. Famille rose, is a group of Chinese porcelain wares characterized by decoration painted in opaque overglaze rose colours, chiefly shades of pink and carmine. These colours were known to the Chinese as yangcai (“foreign colours”) because they were first introduced from Europe (about 1685).

The “Eight Immortals” are figures from Chinese mythology. They represent different types (female, male, young, old, rich, poor, noble and humble) and are each associated with a special symbol, a “talisman” of their power. The Eight Immortals are considered to be signs of prosperity and longevity, so they are popular themes in ancient and medieval art. They were frequent adornments on vases and many other art forms.

This image “story” was inspired during the Ming (c. 14th–15th centuries), by an anonymous writer, titled The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea. It is about the Immortals on their way to attend the Conference of the “Magical Peach” (see vase details) when they encounter a sea. Instead of relying on the clouds to get them across, it is suggested that they each should exercise their unique powers to get across. Derived from this, is the Chinese proverb “The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each reveals its divine powers”  indicates the situation that everybody shows off their skills and expertise to achieve a common goal.  In Asia, the Eight Immortals often represent ” … the close ties between the living and the deceased, since the spirits of the deceased are always within reach when help is needed”. In some branches of Chinese folk religion their existence is seen as being similar to “spirits”.

This extraordinary piece produced in the early 20th century, references two historically important aspects of Chinese culture: the history of ‘famille rose’ porcelain and the mythological story of the “eight immortals”.

Dimensions: height 17.25″ x base diameter 6.5″ x mid vase max diameter 9.25″