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Subject:Longquan Type Celadon & Biscuit Figure of Daoist Deity Xuan Wu or Zhenwu
Posted By: Bill H Sat, Jun 28, 2014 IP: 98.71.195.103
I recently purchased this 10.25 inch-tall Longquan type figure of the Daoist deity Xuan Wu, also called Zhenwu, from a small antique store in the Eastern USA. 'Xuan Wu' (玄武) has the meaning of 'Mysterious Warrior', while his other name 'Zhenwu' is short for 'Zhenwu Dadi' (真武大帝), The 'Truly Martial Grand Emperor'.

According to Wikipedia.org, the Ming Yongle Emperor (1403-1424), claimed to have overthrown his nephew and assumed the throne with help from Xuan Wu. Such stories helped to make Xuan Wu one of the more popular Daoist deities in China, reputedly capable of controlling the elements and working great feats of magic. As such, he is revered by practitioners of the martial arts. At his feet in this depiction are a tortoise with entwined snake, symbols of two of his subordinate generals. Xuan wu is mentioned in 'Journey to the West' as the 'Northern Emperor' (Beidi - 北帝), along with his 'Tortoise General' and 'Snake General.'

There was another query to the forum about this deity in 2008, but the pictures have since been removed. That figure was indicated to be of less than imperial quality, as this one also certainly is. However, I would be happy if I can prove this one to be something less than a modern fake as well. Toward that goal I've scoured eBay, liveauctioneers.com and major auction house archives without finding any other Longquan type depiction of this deity that is quite so 'minyao' (popular kiln quality) in its countenance. Now I seek to share the experience of others in the forum as to whether I'm being overoptimistic to think this might be a late Ming or early Qing work.

Many thanks,

Bill H.







Subject:Re: Longquan Type Celadon & Biscuit Figure of Daoist Deity Xuan Wu or Zhenwu
Posted By: Melissa Wed, Aug 13, 2014
Out of curiosity do you know the name of this artist?

Subject:Re: Longquan Type Celadon & Biscuit Figure of Daoist Deity Xuan Wu or Zhenwu
Posted By: Bill H Thu, Aug 28, 2014
Sorry for waiting so long to recheck my posting. This figurine wasn't marked, so I have no idea of who made it or where. I'd hoped to elicit some information about its origins myself. After posting this query in June, I did find a 2009 Christie's auction of a celadon figurine without biscuit details, which image otherwise appeared to have been made in the same mold. The description dated it as late Ming-early Qing. Here's the URL for that auction.

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-chinese-celadon-glazed-figure-of-zhenwu-late-5226785-details.aspx?

Best regards,

Bill H.

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