1-233-473 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Tortoise and snake on a plinth, Northern Song dynasty, China, 11th century. A tortoise in the coils of a serpent on a rectangular plinth with shaved corners. The head of the tortoise is staring up at the hooded head of the serpent. The piece is covered with a greenish white glaze with brown splashes. The tortoise in the coils of a serpent represents the Dark Warrior, symbol of the north in Chinese mythology.