A well modelled gilt and silver wire inlaid figure of a sage, possibly depicting Dongfang Shuo holding a detachable peach branch, Japanese or Chinese, 33.5cm high, 3,613 grams Provenance: From the deceased estate of a lady and sold on behalf of her executors Dongfang Shuo (c.160-93 B.C.) was a Han Dynasty scholar-official, appointed as court jester to Emperor Wu (r.141-87 B.C.). In Chinese mythology, Dongfang is considered a Daoist immortal and has been incarnated as a series of ancient ministers including Laozi. The imagery of Dongfang Shuo holding a peach derives from the legend where he stole the peaches of immortality from the peach gardens of Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West. Condition Report: some wear to surface and traces of green verdigris to base and some wear to gilding Condition Report Disclaimer