A rare gilt-bronze, possibly Laotse

Description:

China, Tang dynasty
H. 8,7 cm
Seated with legs crossed on a lotus flower issued by a four-legged throne, his right hand holding an attribute while the left is holding the semi-curved armrest, wearing cloak, his face displaying a serene expression with slit eyes below arched eyebrows, beard, his hairdo in a small chignon and a head halo behind
From the collection of the chemist, engineer and director of Merck & Co. Heinrich Georg Johann Harms (3.9.1906-28.6.1975) and his wife Eva Harms (10.11.1905-13.10.1998), largely collected in Shanghai between 1935 and 1942 - Very slightly chipped, minor traces of age