Height: 8 1/2" Width: 6 3/4" Stand Height: 4 1/8" Stand Width: 8 5/8" Stand Depth: 6 1/2" Ming Dynasty Chinese gilt bronze Buddha deity figure of ZhenWu. By the Ming dynasty, a humanized version of the Perfect Warrior had become one of the most important deities in China.Cast in serene appearance, naturally painted eyes gaze forward slightly closed nestled under two long narrow eyebrows. The unbound dark hair is piled upward with some falling loose across the shoulders. Long beard nestled under the mouth lips. The two hands meet in the lap. The armor he wears underneath his robes and bare feet. Set upon a demountable rectangular tall solid wooden pedestal. Extensive trace of gilt remain on surfaces, and blue pigment on hair.During the Northern Song dynasty the name Dark Warrior was changed to Perfect Warrior (ZhenWu) to avoid using a character from the Emperor€?s name (the character meaning dark).Similar to the Shakyamuni Buddha, the Perfect Warrior was also born a prince. He left home to study the Dao when he was still a teenager. Eventually he came to Wudang Mountain. On Wudang Mountain there is a river called the Sword River that divides the temples from the village below. It is said when the Empress came to bring her son home, the prince dragged his sword in through ground and it created a river.The temples were a lot harder to get to in ancient times because there was heavy brush. There was a crow who helped the Perfect Warrior as he climbed. Whenever the prince lost his way, the crow would help him find his path. In China, crows are said to bring misfortune, but on Wudang we consider them good luck.Legend has it that the Perfect Warrior practiced on Wudang Mountain for forty-two years. One day the Jade Emperor decided to test him. While he was meditating a woman appeared before him and wanted to help brush his hair. The Perfect Warrior pushed her away and she fell off a cliff. He was very upset and jumped off after her. As he fell, five dragons appeared and lifted him up to heaven.Flying up to heaven, the Perfect Warrior said, Only the Perfect Warrior will suffice. The characters Wu and Dang were extracted from this quote, giving the mountain its name.Both the Dark Warrior and his human form, the Perfect Warrior were used by the ancient Chinese to understand and commune with the divine. As a totemic representation of the North, and the element water, the Dark Warrior is a part of five element cosmology. The Perfect Warrior is a man who attained oneness with the Dao, representing ideal human potential.PROVENANCE: From The Collections of Mike and Annie Gaither, US Navy 1959-1982. LAUREN Galleries honored to be once again offer the heirloom collections from Mike and Annie Gaither.With a sense of duty for his country Mike joined the US Navy in 1959 the idea was to see the world and obtain an education that would propel his future. The opportunity to become part of the submarine fleet was compelling and once involved it became his career path of choice. In 1964 he married his lifelong partner Annie Nix. And to this day they are still happily married.While in the Navy he specialized in communication and electronic repair and was able to obtain the rank of Radioman Chief Petty Officer during his time in the service he supervised crews of up to 25 in high speed communications, repair and records and Department Chief coordinating 8 repair divisions. Analyzing commands to discover systemic difficulties and training to resolve difficulties. Additional fields include intercultural and race relations, Drug and Alcohol training.With a long career in the Navy his desire to visit many foreign countries was fulfilled.His desire to be a leader in the open markets directed his path into the pastoral leadership where he was able to train and work with people in Italy Guam Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of Palau, with visits to such countries Germany, and Asian Countries. With the opportunity to be in such places also provided the knowledge and ability to obtain collectibles from the area. Reaching a point where one feels that it is time to downsize and realign their assets this has opened the door for others to add these items into their private collection. The quality is exceptional, pristine and highly sought after. The Collections of Mike & Annie Gaither presented and offered up to auctions from Lot-73 through Lot-88. Condition Over all in EXCELLENT condition, with normal anomalies in nature, sign of stressed surface, minor scratch & dent. Surface traced wear and or declined to gilding; Normal, considering ages and wears. All lots are sold as is and where is. Lauren Galleries provides condition reports upon request to aide in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, Lauren Galleries does not give refunds based on condition. Lauren Galleries does not perform any shipping or packing services. We do have a list of suggested shippers who gladly provide quotes prior to your bidding. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers. "