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Could you help with the age of this 17 cm high figure?

Thanks in advance,

M.

Figures somewhat similar to yours were made during the early 18th century and apparently served dual functions of acolyte and joss stick holder in an altar setting. The base on yours looks unusually clean to have sat around a smoky altar for any length of time, and the puppy seems to serve no purpose other than being cute. Also, the costuming looks different from what I'm used to seeing on these little guys. Here's a photo of an old and more typical acolyte with two other 18th century images, a Maitreya posing as the Budai Heshang (Cloth Sack Monk) and a Guanyin. Perhaps others have different opinions about the age of your figurine.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you really much! It is really enlightening!

m.

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