A gathering of Daoist immortals pay their respects to the Star deity of Longevity, Shou, on this broad-shouldered jar. The design is sometimes referred to as the birthday party of the Star deity. The simple shape, called guan in Chinese, is an ancient form.The many icons of longevity, including the lingzhi fungus, cranes, and peaches, can be attributed to the Jiajing emperor’s obsession with immortality. Unusual among the Ming emperors, he was devoted to Daoism, and was so under the spell of alchemists that he probably died from taking an immortality elixir containing mercury.
