The figure, with benevolent expression, is cast in a seated position with hands clasped together in front of the chest, and wearing a voluminous robe that falls to the top of his ruyi-toed shoes and is secured with a court belt and a long sash tied in a bow between the legs. The borders are variously with dragons chasing flaming pearls, Chinese characters and floral scroll. The deity also wears a ribbed headdress secured by a hairpin and hung with cords that trail behind the ears and are then crossed above a lock-form pendant. Height 24.5 cm.
Purchased by a Swedish collector at Bukowskis Sale 544, lot no 1549.
Daoism flourished in the Ming dynasty under Imperial patronage, especially under the Jiajing and Wanli emperors who were fervent supporters of Daoist practices.