Laozi Riding a Buffalo
Figure of Laozi
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Laozi, literally 'old master', was a scholar and royal archivist who is said to have lived during the 6th century BC. He is considered the author of the Classic of the Way and its Power (Dao De jing ), a philosophical treatise explaining the concept of Dao and how to live in harmony with the natural world.
Laozi riding an ox is one of the most popular depictions of the sage. The tradition says that when leaving China to the western regions, he gave a compendium of his teachings to a guard stationed at the Hangu Pass, and then went west on an ox. Later Daoist believers honour him as the founder of Daoism.
Laozi riding an ox is one of the most popular depictions of the sage. The tradition says that when leaving China to the western regions, he gave a compendium of his teachings to a guard stationed at the Hangu Pass, and then went west on an ox. Later Daoist believers honour him as the founder of Daoism.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Laozi Riding a Buffalo (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Bronze figure of Laozi riding a buffalo, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century |
| Physical description | Bronze figure of Laozi riding an ox. He is portrayed as an old man, with bold head, a long beard, and wearing a long draped gown; two ribbons departing from the back of his head fall on the shoulders and his shoes' soles are decorated with the ruyi symbol. He holds a scroll in his left hand. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | Laozi, literally 'old man', is said to have lived in 6th century BC, when China was in perpetual civil war. At the Hangu Pass he gave the border guard a compendium of his teachings, then went west on an ox. The volume is known as the Dao De Jing (The Way and its Virtue), which advocates leaving everything to its natural course. Later Daoist faithfuls honour him as the founder of Daoism.(June 1991) |
| Credit line | Given by Ms Herman M. Schiff in memory of her son, Captain Mortimer E. H. Schiff |
| Object history | Given by Ms Herman M. Schiff in memory of her son, Captain Mortimer E.H. Schiff, 12th Suffolk Regt., who fell in the Great War, 1917; from the collection of her brother, the late M. Edouard Horwitz of Brussels |
| Production | The figure was originally identified as an incense burner, Japan c.1800. The new attribution was made when the object went on display in the Tsui gallery in June 1991. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Laozi, literally 'old master', was a scholar and royal archivist who is said to have lived during the 6th century BC. He is considered the author of the Classic of the Way and its Power (Dao De jing ), a philosophical treatise explaining the concept of Dao and how to live in harmony with the natural world. Laozi riding an ox is one of the most popular depictions of the sage. The tradition says that when leaving China to the western regions, he gave a compendium of his teachings to a guard stationed at the Hangu Pass, and then went west on an ox. Later Daoist believers honour him as the founder of Daoism. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.2-1922 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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