Zhang Guolao On His Donkey, Wooden Sculpture With Polychromy Highlights, China, Ming Dynasty

Zhang Guolao on his donkey, wooden sculpture with polychromy highlights, China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644) or style, (old restorations and small losses) Height 60cm Base 20cm X11 cm Zhang Guolao 張果老, one of the 8 immortals is believed to have lived in the 7th century, is the archetype of the old man. First a hermit in the mountains of Shan-xi, he declined the invitations of Emperors Tai-zong (626-649) and Gao-zong (649-683) and stubbornly refused to go to court. Finally, on the orders of the formidable Empress Wu Ze-tian (684-690), he had to abandon his retreat...but died suddenly (or pretended to) at the door of the temple of the Jealous Woman. As his body began to decompose, we were surprised to see him reappear, quite alive and well in the mountains of Hengzou! He used to travel with a white mule which carried him tirelessly over immense distances, could cover thousands of lilies in a day, and had the advantage, once arrived at his destination, of rolling like a simple sheet. of paper, which Zhang Guo-lao kept in his satchel. When he needed it again, he sprinkled the paper with a sip of water and the beast returned to normal. He was riding this mule upside down, facing the rear. It is said that during an interview with Emperor Ming-huang of the late Tang (713-746), he greatly entertained his majesty with tricks: he thus made himself invisible, swallowed a cup full of violent poison. He is often depicted on his mule