A Chinese famille verte on biscuit figure of Zhenwu

拍品描述

A Chinese famille verte on biscuit figure of Zhenwu Qing dynasty, Kangxi period Seated on a high-backed throne wearing a long flowing belted robe in aubergine enamel, with a tortoise at his feet, 25.5cm high. 清康熙 素燒三彩真武大帝像 Zhenwu, also known as Xuanwu, is one of the highest ranking Daoist deities. Generally associated with a snake and a tortoise, he is often flanked by his generals Wan Gong and Wan Ma, and depicted holding a sword and a seal in his hands. He is often identified with Heidi, the Guardian of the direction of the North. The cult of Zhenwu became extremely widespread in China upon the rise to power of Emperor Yongle, who usurped the throne from his nephew and, in need of legitimisation for his power, claimed to have received the help of Zhenwu in the final battle with his nephew. He then proceeded to establish a large number of temples to the deity, especially around the summits of the mount Wudang.

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