5.8

The Eight Immortals Celebrate a Long Life

At the beginning of the Chao Opera ‘The Five Fortunes’, the Eight Immortals travel to the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West. Five of them can be seen on stage: Han Zhongli, Li Tieguai, Han Xiangzi, Lü Dongbin and He Xiangu. Each has their own story and special powers, which are expressed in their clothes and props.

Company: Lao Mei Chunxiang Construction & Performance: not yet established Date: first half of the 20th century, China Material: clay, wood, textiles, metal, paper Provenance: 1984, sold by Lothar Heubel to Fritz Fey junior (now in the KOLK 17 collection)