Copper Statue of Drunken Lü Dongbin Inlaid with Gold

Lü Dongbin is one of the Eight Immortals in Daoist mythology, revered by the Quanzhen Sect during the Jin and Yuan (1115–1368) periods. Many Yuan dynasty zaju plays feature him, with Ma Zhiyuan’s Lü Dongbin’s Three Drunken Episodes at Yueyang Pavilion being a primary source for his stories. The subject of this statue comes from the play’s story of Lü Dongbin Converting the Willow Spirit. The ethereal Immortal Lü is shown intoxicated, supported by the sprite transformed from a willow tree. The immortal’s face is solemn, while the sprite has a short nose and wide mouth, creating a stark contrast. The copper statue is inlaid with gold and silver wire, enhancing its opulent appearance.