The Daoist deity Zhenwu with two attendants
Place of OriginJingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Date1506-1521
DynastyMing dynasty (1368-1644), Reign of the Zhengde emperor (1506-1521)
MaterialsPorcelain with underglaze cobalt decoration
DimensionsH. 7 5/8 in x W. 4 1/2 in x D. 2 5/8 in, H. 19.4 cm x W. 11.5 cm x D. 6.7 cm
Credit LineTransfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Object numberB81P55
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
On viewLocationGallery 16
More InformationThe worship of Zhenwu, the Perfected Warrior, obtained its greatest popularity during the reign of the Ming emperor Yongle (reigned 1403–1424). Early representations of this god feature a tortoise entwined by a snake—symbols representing the Big Dipper and
the North in Daoist iconography. Here Zhenwu is shown wearing a civil robe with a dragon motif, in contrast to his military look with armor. He is also easy to identify because of his long hair and bare feet. He is shown with two superhuman assistants—Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable Wind-Ear. Hand sculpted and painted in grayish blue, and retaining sandy adhesions on the base, this sculpture reflects a fashion prevalent in the early sixteenth century.
the North in Daoist iconography. Here Zhenwu is shown wearing a civil robe with a dragon motif, in contrast to his military look with armor. He is also easy to identify because of his long hair and bare feet. He is shown with two superhuman assistants—Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable Wind-Ear. Hand sculpted and painted in grayish blue, and retaining sandy adhesions on the base, this sculpture reflects a fashion prevalent in the early sixteenth century.
Subject
- attendant
- deity
approx. 1403-1435
