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An antique carved figure of a laughing Buddha. The figure looks to be made of oxen bone and of Chinese origin. The carving is unsigned. He symbolizes happiness in family, good luck and good fortune.
A standing Laughing Buddha stretching his arms upward is traditionally nicknamed the "Jolly Hotei" or the "Golden Prosperity Buddha". Budai standing or sitting with both arms lifted straight up to the sky represents triumph, total abundance, and the welcoming of prosperity.
Condition: Fine. No chips or cracks.
Dimensions: Height: 8cm inc. stand.
Provenance: Ex. Private collection, Hampshire, UK.
£70.00
A standing Laughing Buddha stretching his arms upward is traditionally nicknamed the "Jolly Hotei" or the "Golden Prosperity Buddha". Budai standing or sitting with both arms lifted straight up to the sky represents triumph, total abundance, and the welcoming of prosperity. The stretching motion is a literal and symbolic gesture of lifting financial burdens or personal obstacles off your shoulders. Historically, this pose shows him offering a complete denouncement of material worries to receive blessings from the heavens. It is traditionally considered the perfect figure for "new beginnings"—such as a new home, career, or business.
Carving spiritual icons out of bovine (cow/ox) bone or water buffalo bone is a highly precise Asian artisanal tradition, particularly prominent in regions like Bali, China, and Vietnam. In Vajrayana and broader East Asian Buddhist art, bone carvings carry a dual spiritual meaning. They are a gentle, philosophical reminder of impermanence (Anicca) and non-attachment to the physical body. Over time, as a genuine bone figure is handled or exposed to the natural oils of the skin, the material absorbs them and subtly changes color into a warmer, antique amber hue. Folk traditions suggest this allows the carving to absorb and radiate the positive energy of its environment.
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