The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal

16th–17th century

Not on view

These bronze sculptures (with SL.17.2019.1.1) capture the playful appeal of the Daoist immortals Liu Hai and Li Tieguai. Li supports himself on his famous iron crutch, with an enormous gourd full of magical elixirs slung across his shoulder, while his friend Liu Hai plays with his companion, a massive toad. These lighthearted sculptures would have been well-suited to the reception hall of a cultured family, where their fine craftsmanship and playful spirit would have added a touch of learned whimsy

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China

Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal, Bronze, China

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

明晚期劉海與李鐵拐銅造像

Title: Li Tieguai, Daoist Immortal

Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Date: 16th–17th century

Culture: China

Medium: Bronze

Dimensions: H. w/o stand: 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm); W. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm); D. 6 in. (15.2 cm)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Promised Gift of Julia and John Curtis, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary

Object Number: L.2020.10.4

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.