God of Longevity
Artist
Chinese
DateQing Dynasty
Mediumrock crystal (quartz)
Dimensions18.3 × 10 × 6.5 cm (7 3/16 × 3 15/16 × 2 9/16 in.)
with base: 21.5 × 11 × 7 cm (8 7/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
with base: 21.5 × 11 × 7 cm (8 7/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard
Terms
Object number1938.24
DescriptionFigure of an old man carrying a staff in his right hand with a stork at right of figure.Label TextGod of Longevity Rock crystal (quartz); Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), early 19th century Bequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard, 1938.24 The God of Longevity, Shou-lao (or Shou-xing) holds a peach of longevity; a gourd filled with elixir of immortality is tied to his staff. Shou-lao is easily identified because of his high forehead, emblematic of great wisdom and age, and because he is accompanied by a crane with a fungus of immortality in its beak.
On View
Not on view
Ancient Egyptian
scarab: probably Middle Kingdom, about 1980–1760 BCE; gold mount: modern
