Shoulao with Peaches and Openwork Staff – Chinese Carved Wood Statue, Early to Mid 20th Century, 62 cm

Laughing, bearded and unmistakable, Shoulao, the Chinese god of longevity, rises 62 cm from a carved rocky base in this hand-carved statue from the early to mid 20th century. He weighs 8.2 kg and was worked from a single block of dense hardwood, most likely rosewood (hongmu), with deep, confident cuts throughout.

His towering domed brow stands for the wisdom that comes with a long life, and inlaid eyes bring a lively, almost mischievous sparkle to his face. His right hand grips a gnarled staff shaped like a root or lingzhi fungus, carved so openly that light passes through it. In the crook of his arm he carries a heavy cluster of peaches of immortality, with tiny figures carved among the fruit. Peach, staff and fungus are all classic emblems of long and healthy life, which is why Shoulao has been a favourite gift for centuries.

The wood has a warm red-brown patina with a soft sheen. Honest signs of age: a vertical drying crack runs down the back of the head where the solid wood has moved over the years (photo 22), the edge of the base shows a few chips and a small old repair, and the raw underside has drying cracks (photo 40). There are no breaks or missing parts beyond these.

A characterful piece for a cabinet, mantelpiece or plinth. We ship it carefully packed, and collection is welcome too.

Specifications

• Origin: China
• Date: early to mid 20th century
• Material: hardwood, probably rosewood (hongmu), hand-carved
• Subject: Shoulao (Shou Xing) with staff and peaches
• Details: inlaid eyes
• Height × width: 62 × 23 cm
• Weight: 8.2 kg
• SKU: 876

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.