There are several ironies throughout the story. The statue which the entire story revolved around, covering several emotions, locations and generations were a copy. This is proof that we value the status that comes with the possession than the possession itself, going into a paradox of the emotions it generated throughout 5 generations. The irony is that the value of the statue not being proportionate to all the trouble that Sir Alexander Heathcote went through to possess it, going to the extent to build a house with his 3 years of salary for its repayment to Yung Lee. The greed and pride which the statue bearer throughout every generation possessed ultimately resulted in nothing.

The irony of several people who admired the statue, from the mantlepiece in Sir Alexander Heathcote’s house in Yorkshire to the main hall in halifax. There were many conversations with regards to the statue but nobody questioned its authenticity but rather questioned the base. This also proves the fallacy of credibility of the “exact man” like Sir Alexander Heathcote, who’s story was never questioned.

The final irony is, the worth of the statue is 700 guineas while the base which Yung Lee attached, saying its unworthy but good work, being evaluated and sold for 22000 guineas.

In the entire ordeal, nothing is very clear. Doubt also remains whether a man like Sir Alexander Heathcote who was extremely exact can utter words even at a point of complete awe. The reader is left with several unanswered questions, perhaps questions that are subjective and cannot be answered. At the end, we can be sure of one thing in particular, the fake Chinese statue generated every possible emotion throughout 5 generations and thus the sheer unpredictability of life is reflected at the end.