Bronze of Lao-Tse on the ox. CHINA, around 1900. Assembled from three separately cast pieces. Lao-Tse (Laozi) has been worshipped since the 2nd century as one of the three "High Gods" of Chinese, Daoism. According to legend, Lao-Tse, librarian of the Chinese state of Chu, felt compelled to emigrate due to an emerging political crisis. Traveling on the back of an ox, he was asked at the Shan Gu Pass by the local scholar Yin-Xi to share his teachings. This is alluded to in the scroll that Lao-Tse holds, looking serene and calm. The ox or water buffalo, a common farm animal throughout Asia, stands for frugality, endurance and devotion to duty. Height total: 29 cm.