Chinese Porcelain Republic Period Famille Rose Budai Figure Large Antique Buddha Sculpture

A Chinese porcelain famille jaune / famille rose figure of Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha.
Marked underneath with impressed seal mark (difficult to see but present), Republic period (1912-1949).

The deity figure modelled in a seating position with a jolly and serene expression on it’s face. His left hand resting on his leg holding his cloth sack and in its right hand holding his chain of rosary beads. Furthermore he is wearing a loose robe showing his large stomach.

Symbolism:
Budai is a semi-legendary itinerant Buddhist monk of 10th century China, often seen in Chinese and Japanese painting. He is thought to be an incarnation of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. Budai’s cloth bag serves as a prominent motif within the context of Chan Buddhism as it represents abundance, prosperity, and contentment.

Dimensions:
Height 11 inches, width 11 1/4 inches, diameter 8 1/2 inches.

Height 27.9 cm, width 28.6 cm, depth 21.6 cm.

Provenance (by repute): 
From the estate of Yip Hon (1904-1997). Nicknamed Kwai Wong (translated as Ghost King). Yip Hon was a gambling tycoon in South China. He amassed great wealth in the casinos there through his technique of listening dice, eventually opening his own casino.

Condition (DM for more pictures):
A hairline between the two feet of ca 5 cm. Furthermore with some glaze loss and minor glaze fritting at the toe ends.

Worldwide registered and insured shipping.

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Code: A00379