Pair of large porcelain vases with polychrome decoration of a scene evoking the eight immortals crossing the sea, China, Canton, 19th century Cylindrical in form, each body illustrating the legend of the "Immortals Crossing the Sea" - ā xiān guò hǎi, gè xiǎn shén tōng - 八仙过海，各显神通. Each neck features a dragon molded in relief and enameled in polychrome. Height: approx. 62 cm Small chip on the edge of one neck. The eight immortals, their minds clouded by wine after celebrating the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West in Kunlun, decide to set off to discover all the wonders of the underwater realms that they can't find at home in Paradise. As they cross the sea, the drinking Dragon King of the Eastern Sea thinks they're making too much noise and decides to lead his shrimp soldiers and crab generals to the surface of the sea, with the intention of hunting them down. To defend themselves, each of the immortals casts a magic spell using their respective attributes. They defeat the Dragon King's army, who must return to the Dragon Palace in disgrace.