PROBABLY MING DYNASTYThe mythical turtle with a single horn, bifurcated tail, and a snake curled on its back, the mottled dark stone of grey and celadon inclusions, 16.3cm.Provenance: formerly in an English private collection, Sussex, acquired in the 1990s.Xuanwu, the Guardian of the North, is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. The combination of tortoise and serpent were spiritual creatures symbolising protection and longevity.