This exquisitely-carved zoomorphic earth spirit Chimera has the body of stylistic turtle with dragon head and hoofed feet. A boy is riding on the Bixi’s tail. One of the nine sons of the Dragon King, he is depicted as a dragon with the shell of a turtle. One of a collection of similar protective earth spirit chimeras and mythological creatures, the sculptures are being evaluated individually and collectively with this sculpture is possibly from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 ce), but may be as late as the Ming Dynasty. The large sculpture is approximately 4-7/8 inches tall, 8-5/8 inches long, and 2 inches wide.

The sculpture is sound with no noted defects. The nephrite exhibits surface alteration from age, and some softened details from restoration. From a private collection, this artifact is clean, however will be sold without further restoration (as is).