This piece is a stunning antique Chinese bronze figurine/statue, representing the Taoist immortal Li T'ieh-Kuai, also known as 'Iron Crutch'. The iconographic clues are the crutch under his right arm and the large medicine gourd over his left shoulder. This particular rendition references the story which came to pass when his own body was cremated in error whilst his spirit was 'out' visiting heaven (but fully intending to return). Consequently on returning his spirit had to enter the nearest available body which was that of a recently deceased lame beggar.
