A good luck poster. 8 immortals drinking (from wine jar), eating fruit, and playing a finger guessing game (划拳). Woodblock print, possibly a recent copy of old blocks.
Yang XiuYi; Zhang ChuanXin / 杨修义;张传信
Liu Hai is a fabled 10th-century Chinese alchemist who learned the secret of immortanity from the Golden Toad or Money Toad (金蝉 or 蟾蜍). The Toad is usually depicted (as in this print) with red eyes, with coins in its mouth or spitting coins. Woodblock print. Likely a recent copy of a late Qing block. Fifth of set of ten.
Artist unknown
Liu Hai is a fabled 10th-century Chinese alchemist who learned the secret of immortanity from the Golden Toad or Money Toad (金蝉 or 蟾蜍). The Toad is usually depicted (as in this print) with red eyes, with coins in its mouth or spitting coins. Woodblock print. Likely a recent copy of a late Qing block. Sixth of set of ten.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Cap identifies candidate who has come first in highest imperial exams. Carrying jade sceptre, which brings good luck. Seventh of set of ten. Likely a recent copy of an old block.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Cap identifies candidate who has come first in highest imperial exams. Carrying jade sceptre, which brings good luck. Eighth of set of ten. Likely a recent copy of an old block.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Messenger of gods holding scroll saying 'May you have every good fortune you could desire' (吉祥如意).Scrolls like these were brought out at the beginning of Peking Opera (京剧) performances. Woodblock print. Recent copy of old block. Ninth of set of ten.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Messenger of gods holding scroll saying 'The official of heaven bestows good fortune' (天官赐福).Scrolls like these were brought out at the beginning of Peking Opera (京剧) performances. Woodblock print. Recent copy of old block. Tenth of set of ten.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Father and son on way to (symbolic) audience with Emperor. The tradition of official service in the family brings good luck. Woodblock print, partly hand-coloured. Recent copy of old block. Purchased at Forbidden City (故宫) Museum, Beijing.
Artist unknown
For good luck. Many symbols of good fortune decorate the body of an official. Peony (good fortune & wealth), a jade scepter, lingzhi (a magic fungus associated with long life), a latern with the phrase 'abundant harvest' (丰登). Likely meant to combine with Z18 to say 'Abundant harvest of all crops'.Shown with crane (long life) and servant in background. Woodblock prints, partly hand-coloured. Original from Yanzhou Prefecture, from Forbidden City (故宫) Museum, Beijing.
Yong Sheng [x] / 永盛和
For good luck. Many symbols of good fortune decorate the body of an official. Peony (good fortune & wealth), a jade scepter, lingzhi (a magic fungus associated with long life), a latern with the phrase 'all crops' (五谷). Likely meant to combine with Z17 to say 'Abundant harvest of all crops'. Shown with deer, a symbol of good luck and longeivty as it's name lu (鹿) is a homophone with the word for official salary (禄), ie wealth. Woodblock prints, partly hand-coloured. Original from Yanzhou Prefecture, from Forbidden City (故宫) Museum, Beijing.
Artist unknown
