OIST. CAO GUOJIU.

Description:
- Beautiful Chinese figure, representing one of the eight immortals of Chinese mythology.
- They are a group of deities, according to Chinese mythology, existed earthly and were born during the Tang or Song dynasties, practising the techniques of alchemy and the methods of oriental immortality until they reached the true final immortality through the Tao.
- The members rarely appear separately and the powers of each of them can be transferred to individual utensils that can give life or destroy evil, and which are known as An Baixan.
- In this case we are dealing with Cao Guojiu, an immortal deity of study and knowledge, belonging to the group of the eight immortals. It is said that he was the uncle of an emperor of the Song dynasty and younger brother of his mother, the empress dowager Cao.
- He is said to have discovered the secret of immortality in a scroll he found in a jade box inside a cave. As he recited it, the cave was filled with light and a stork appeared and carried him to the land of the immortals. He is depicted as an old man with a beard and the official court robes. His emblems are a jade tablet and a rattle. He is the patron saint of the theatre.
- It is thought to be made of lead, and then coated with a white metal plating that could be nickel, chrome or another metal.
- It has a good workmanship, executed in considerable detail.
- Small in size, the figure is solid and rests on a base.
- Probably made by casting with a mould, and the detail of the mould joint can be seen on the sides.
- No distinctive mark or contrast has been found that could provide information on where it was made, the maker's details or any other information.

Conservation and Damage:
- The sculpture is in a good state of conservation.
- It retains a nice period patina.
- It has minor knocks and scratches, due to age.
- The object shows the wear and tear typical of it's age.

Comments:
- Measurements and weight are approximate.
- Very interesting as a collector's item and as a decorative element.
- The tones of the colours in the photos are not equal to the tones of the real colours.
- The object for sale is the one that corresponds to the photos. The description is not a detailed exposition of the object.
- The data provided here are personal opinions not contrasted.