A Chinese porcelain figure of Shoulao, Ming dynasty, Wanli period, modelled seated on a recumbent deer raised on oval base, clutching a scroll, painted in underglaze blue with facial features, clouds, and breaking waves, 23cm highNote: Depictions of ‘xian’ grew in popularity from the middle Ming period, which saw an increase in printed dramas and stories portraying these immortals, as well as figures carved from ivory and hardstone and cast in bronze. Porcelain figures similar to this example, which were given as gifts that brought good luck to the recipient, have been excavated from Wanli-period tombs. With his oversized head and long beard, Shoulao 壽老 represents wisdom and longevity. His right hand rests on his deer companion, which holds rich symbolic meaning. The word for deer, ‘lu’ (鹿) shares the homophone of good fortune, ‘lu’ (禄), which can also refer to a civil official's attractive salary. Furthermore, in Chinese idioms, political power is compared to deer, and chasing deer implies fighting for the sovereign. The back of his robe bears an emblem containing a depiction of a crane. This graceful bird is also a symbol of longevity, owing to its long lifespan and elegant white feathers. The word for crane, ‘he’ (鹤), is also a homophone for ‘hé’ (合), meaning peace and harmony. Cf. A similar Wanli-period example can be found in the British Museum (museum number Franks.1472), and is illustrated by J. Harrison-Hall in ‘Ming Ceramics in the British Museum’, London, 2002, pp. 324-325, no. 11:131, dated circa. 1573-1620. For another similar example, see Christie's sale no.2859, 22nd-23rd March 2011, Lot 35Some firing flaws in areas, professional restoration to areas above and below right foot, hole drilled to bottom of base, light wear to glaze in areas - including a graze to left eyebrow and wear to area near left foot.