Featured Chinese Brush Pot/Stand - Translate, Age?

I got this pot or stand (not a brush washer?) back in the late 80's when I was collecting Chinese calligraphy-related items. It's just under 5 inches tall with the opening about 2.5 inches. No markings on the underside.

I gather from a little (past) research that the old fellow on the donkey may be one of the "Immortals." Is that true? Who is the pudgy little fellow hanging on to the donkey's rump? Is there a story reference in the inscription?

How old do you think? Any other comments or thoughts?

 

Someone will know better, I'm just going by the tiny bit I know. Is it possible this is Japanese? Or maybe China has similar traditional imagery? Think the broad brimmed hat on the man, the staff & the water gourd indicate they are on a pilgrimage to a temple. The pudgy guy behind looks like a standard way of depicting a boy monk. This is not exactly a match, but see:
http://www.jansantiques.com/Lot/jac1618.php

 

Well, that's a good question. Without marks, we only have the imagery to go on. I'm not "invested" one way or the other. It would be good to know which country, though.

 

Tried to find anything that might give a clue. As for art, these are along the same lines:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/456064976/vintage-japanese-print-old-man-on

http://www.boltonlams.co.uk/collections/item/194?subjectId=2

There is such a wealth of knowledge on this board, I have faith someone will pin it down more for you. Pretty sure Buddhist pilgrims, that's as far as I get.

 

The brush pot is definitely Chinese.

That would be Zhang Guolao, one of the classic Chinese 8 Daoist immortals. Zhang Guo/Guolao, is a historical figure, a hermit who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). But he is described as riding a white mule, and this one is grey. And he usually carries a fish-drum, the instrument in his left hand in this engraving:

It is clear that your duo is on the road. The boy is carrying a gourd, which could contain wine, something medicinal, or meant to ward off evil. Or it could symbolize the fact that the boy is his grandson, because the gourd also stands for grandchildren.
There are many Chinese stories about old men and boys, I think you need khl's help to determine which one this is.

 

Hello Any Jewelry - Was hoping you would weigh in. Just noticed the staff is bamboo. Don't know anything about Japanese flora, but maybe the bamboo places this firmly in China?

I have just been extrapolating from the wooden Japanese souvenirs I used to collect. Mementos of visits to temples & hot springs, many feature a figure in a broad brimmed hat carrying a gourd.

 

Thank you, AJ! I was hoping you would come along.

What is it that makes this Chinese? The image, the style, the language?

 

Maybe the gourd is where he keeps his steed?


From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Guolao Zhang Guolao 'decanting' his horse.

 

The style of painting and the clothing. I'm sorry, I am no help whatsoever with the language.

He folds his mule into a small, flat package, which he keeps in a wallet. But he did need water to make it 3D again. He would usually spray it from his mouth, but why not keep it in a gourd?

 

Because you confused me with this after I suggested it was a water gourd. Thought you were ruling out water.

 

I don't think it is Zhang Guolao, and the painting you posted is of him.
In the case of the old man and the boy, I think they have wine or medicine in the gourd, or the gourd could be symbolic, because the boy is carrying it.
Best wait until khl is back.

 

Thank you both for the interesting discussion.

I'm not sure if tagging will help unless @khl889 actually visits the site, but it's worth a shot to see if a translation will clarify the who and what the old man and the boy are doing.