Monumental Antique 8 Panel Chinese Black Lacquer Folding Screen Room Divider 12'

Description

Monumental antique Chinese black lacquer folding screen or room divider featuring a golden landscape of the Eight Immortals among a sea of clouds above pagodas, boats and a lighthouse. Surrounded by a boarder of antique pots and vessels, urns and animals. The reverse features a floral scene of Chinese bamboo trees.

The Eight Immortals (Chinese: 八仙; pinyin: Bāxiān; Wade–Giles: Pa¹-hsien¹) are a group of legendary xian (""immortals"") in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the ""Covert Eight Immortals"" (暗八仙). Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Mount Penglai.

The Immortals are:
He Xiangu (何仙姑), generally seen as the only female of the group, often depicted holding a lotus flower.
Cao Guojiu (曹國舅), related to a Song dynasty emperor before he became an immortal.
Li Tieguai (李鐵拐), considered to be mentally disturbed and associated with medicine and easing the suffering of the sick and needy, identified by his iron crutch and Calabash bottle.
Lan Caihe (藍采和), an immortal of ambiguous gender considered the patron of florists and gardeners.
Lü Dongbin (呂洞賓), a scholar and poet considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals.
Han Xiangzi (韓湘子), a flute artist.
Zhang Guolao (張果老), a fangshi associated with old age.
Zhongli Quan (鍾離權), associated with death and the power to create silver and gold, often depicted holding a fan.

Condition

Good antique condition, wear and distressing commensurate with age and use, scuffing, finish loss, edge wear, chipping.

Dimensions

18.5" x 92" x 148", each panel 18.5"