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ID #SA1176472
FOR SALE
£1,950
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Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €2,282     $2,477
£1,950
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood

19th century
Description

A late-Qing shrine guardian, likely Zhenwu/Xuanwu (snake & tortoise attributes). Carved fully in the round with swirling celestial ribbons, armour and rock base; original gilding with floral linework. This is a true temple sculpture—not a tourist carving—evidenced by mass, complex block-construction, devotional wear and hand-laid lacquer.

Historical Background

Zhenwu (also known as Xuanwu, the Dark Warrior) was revered in Daoist temples from the Ming through the Qing dynasty. His iconography—armour, flowing scarves, and the entwined serpent and tortoise—represents cosmic balance and the triumph of order over chaos. Temple figures such as this would have stood beside altars, gilded to amplify the flicker of ritual lamplight.

Measurements

Height: 40.5 cm / 15.9?

Width: 25 cm / 9.8?

Depth: 21.5 cm / 8.5?

Weight: 4.605 kg

Condition

Old stabilised joins to two ribbon loops; crown losses; age cracks and rubbing to gilding, structurally sound.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Professional packaging with careful handling.

Recycled materials used where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Physical Dimensions
Height
40.5cm (15.94")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
21.5cm (8.46")
Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Chinese Gilt Wood Figure to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1176472
Dealers Internal Reference
B1478
Description
A late-Qing shrine guardian, likely Zhenwu/Xuanwu (snake & tortoise attributes).
“
Carved fully in the round with swirling celestial ribbons, armour and rock base; original gilding with floral linework.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

This is a true temple sculpture—not a tourist carving—evidenced by mass, complex block-construction, devotional wear and hand-laid lacquer.

fig 1. A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
fig 1. Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood

Historical Background

Zhenwu (also known as Xuanwu, the Dark Warrior) was revered in Daoist temples from the Ming through the Qing dynasty. His iconography—armour, flowing scarves, and the entwined serpent and tortoise—represents cosmic balance and the triumph of order over chaos. Temple figures such as this would have stood beside altars, gilded to amplify the flicker of ritual lamplight.

fig 2. A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
fig 2. Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood

Measurements

Height: 40.5 cm / 15.9?

Width: 25 cm / 9.8?

Depth: 21.5 cm / 8.5?

Weight: 4.605 kg

Condition

Old stabilised joins to two ribbon loops; crown losses; age cracks and rubbing to gilding, structurally sound.

fig 3. A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
fig 3. Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Professional packaging with careful handling.

Recycled materials used where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Height
40.5cm (15.94")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
21.5cm (8.46")
Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Chinese Gilt Wood Figure to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1176472
Dealers Internal Ref
B1478
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
1 / 21
Archive I A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.

Monumental 19th-century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood

Archive II A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View II
Archive III A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XV
Archive XVI A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XVI
Archive XVII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XVII
Archive XVIII A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XVIII
Archive XIX A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XIX
Archive XX A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XX
Archive XXI A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base. View XXI
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 401
Items Sold 564
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
401
Sold
564
A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
Monumental 19th-Century Chinese Temple Guardian (Zhenwu), Gilt & Polychrome Wood
Ref: SA1176472
A 19th-century carved wooden Chinese temple guardian figure with intricate gilded and polychrome surface detail seated on a carved rocky base.
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FAQs

Zhenwu, known as the Perfected Warrior, is a prominent deity in Chinese Taoism associated with protection, martial prowess, and the northern direction. Figures representing Zhenwu traditionally feature elements such as armoured robes, a tortoise, and a serpent, serving as protective guardian icons within temple and domestic shrines.

Artisans typically carved these figures from blocks of native woods, such as camphor or pine, before applying a ground layer of gesso. The surface was then finished with detailed hand-painted pigments (polychrome) and thin sheets of gold leaf gilding to define textile patterns and armour textures.

Authentic 19th-century pieces often display natural age wear, including fine surface cracking (craquelure), soft loss of gilding down to the gesso, and oxidisation of original pigments. Hand-carved tool marks on the base and undercuts, alongside a subtle patina within crevices, also indicate genuine historical craftsmanship.

A carved wooden figure functions effectively as a focal statement piece when placed on a minimalist sideboard, console table, or within a lit display alcove. Juxtaposing the textured gilding against clean, contemporary backgrounds highlights its sculptural form without cluttering the space.

Dust the figure gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding damp cloths or chemical cleaners that could lift delicate leaf gilding or paint layers. Keep the sculpture in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, radiators, and high humidity to prevent wood warping or surface flaking.
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