Featured Chinese Wood sculpture “who is he?” …and

I’ve had this little guy for a long time tucked away and recently pulled him out while looking for another piece. 12”H Excellent condition, meaning no breaks or chips. I never notice the metal imbedded before today. Who is he? Is this style metal imbedding dateable? Age? Could it be silver? Why some areas exposed metal while other parts are below finish? What’s the wood? My apologies for so many questions as stated, I never notice those before and it has my curiosity. Have you seen this before, asks Mr. Novice(me).

red circle shows the width of metal(silver)
Blue circle show wood pores(hopefully for identification).

once again…. I always appreciated your time, knowledge and opinions.

 

Looks like many were inlaid with silver wire.... https://www.google.com/search?clien...HYyIDnkQ0pQJegQIDxAB&biw=1160&bih=608&dpr=1.3

 

He is probably Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoism.

 

More about Li Tieguai -

https://www.buddhamuseum.com/qing-li-tieh-kuai_08.html

 

Much thanks to all. I have to say I was a bit disappointed to see him sold everywhere. But then when I looked closer the multiple ones for sale on,

Houze
Cherish
Etsy
eBay
and even Amazon,

Were all made from the same cookie cutter. A bit more detailed than my piece but exact copies of each other right down to the inlays(which they attribute to as wire), sold as hand carved, WOW imagine the skill it takes to copy this by hand every time. they must work like a machine.

Very Happy I don’t have one of those and hope my Li Tieguai has better age. At the very lease it show to be a true carving. So again I have to thank you all for sending me in the right direction, *thumbs up*