A cast-on repair is visible on the left thigh of the image. The sprue, through which the wax runs out and which becomes a bronze rod after casting, failed to come cleanly off the sculpture, taking a piece of the thigh with it, necessitating the repair. Rather than detracting from the sculpture, it should be considered a mark of authenticity. A fine layer of silt is visible in the scalp of the image, indicating that for some time the image had been buried. There is also evidence of burial corrosion visible as green specks on the back and other parts of the image.
Burial corrosion is partly responsible for the part of the base that has broken off.
Lao Buddha images of this size and quality are extremely difficult to acquire. Not only are they cherished by their owners as heirloom and sacred objects, but there has been a longstanding ban on the removal of antique Buddha images from Laos. Few if any dealers are willing to tempt fate by smuggling them. Fortunately this sculpture had been removed to Burma centuries ago and only recently was recovered, and made its way to the United States through Thailand. It is a truly extraordinary piece that would be the pride of any collector.