Spectacular 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Vase. Eight Immortals. Well Preserved

Beautiful Chinese porcelain vase. This is a delicate piece which has survived to our days in great condition considering its ancient age. The vase dates from the 19th century and shows no visible flaws: no cracks or chips. The wonderful white porcelain it is made of is decorated with a colorful traditional scene, full of grace and movement and which surely was performed by a real artist of polychromy. The scene depicts the Eight Chinese Immortals sailing through a rough sea on different sacred animals.The Eight Immortals are major deities in Chinese mythology, worshipped in Taoism and popular Chinese culture. Theoretically they were real people who lived long time ago and became Immortals because of their good qualities. They are usually pictured together and each one carries a symbol of his own. In this case they are part of a very rare and special scene, as they are standing on Chinese mythological animals. One of them is sailing on a crab, another one rides a donkey and the rest stand on another crab, a goldfish, a dragon and two strange-looking yellow creatures difficult to identify.It is a graceful scene, ingenuous and dynamic, and the Immortals are dressed in rich and colorful clothes and each one carries his own symbol. The sea is composed of blue and white waves that create a regular and decorative background. The pictures of the animals are very expressive and free, and they really look like mythological creatures. The vases top and neck are scarcely decorated and show the white background with little painted details. The only adorns are some delicately colored clouds, a kite a character is flying and the basket another one lifts in the air.This small vase is a singular piece, worthy of a specialized collector and whose rare beauty will stand out anywhere.Measurements: Width: 110 mm. Height: 258 mm.