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Subject:Re: chinese metal statue?
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Feb 27, 2017
Your image is of Xuanwu (玄武), the "Dark Warrior", a Daoist deity who has various other names, including Zhēnwǔdàdì (真武大帝), the "True Warrior & Great Deity"), or "Zhenwu" for short. His disciples, of whom there are no few in South China, believe he offers powerful protection from enemies to his true believers.
Here's a link to a Sotheby's auction listing from a couple of years ago, where you'll find an enlightening description and a enlargeable photo of a Ming dynasty bronze of the deity. Your example, which superficially resembles bronze more than iron, looks to be well-enough made to the prevailing iconic specifications for this deity, but I'm unsure as to whether the patina on its exterior is entirely natural or not. There seems to be a bigger difference between the patina on the exposed and unexposed surfaces than I would expect on anything like this that was made by traditional lost wax casting methods and sufficiently long ago to be called a true antique. But lets see what others more seasoned bronze collectors have to say.
Best regards,
Bill H.
URL Title :Zhenwu
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