237. STATUETTE DE ZHENWU EN BRONZE Dynastie Ming A BRONZE FIGURE OF ZHENWU Ming Dynasty Seated in a formal position, with his hands resting in his lap, wearing long flowing robes with billowing edges, opening to reveal an elaborate armour with a apron featuring a large dragon, his bare feet protruding under the robe, his face with a serene expression, his long hair neatly combed and hanging loose down his back, traces of lacquer gilding, metal stand. 40.5cm (16in) high (2). 明 銅真武大帝坐像 Provenance: Formerly in a German collection (by repute) Nagel, 15 May 1998, lot 1051 來源： 德國私人舊藏（傳） 納高拍賣行，1998年5月15日，編號1051 The loose hair and the bare feet are the two most salient indicators of Zhenwu's identity, the others being a tortoise and a snake. Other bronze images of Zhenwu dating to the Ming dynasty, are illustrated in Stephen Little, Taoism and the Arts of China, Chicago, 2000, pp.294-95; and in Paul Moss, The Second Bronze Age: Later Chinese Metalwork, London, 1991, no.4.