Fine hand-crafted statue of Budai, also know as the Laughing Buddha, holding his hands up. The statue is cut in rosewood and has some very nice details like ivory teeth and eyes and a nice dark brown patina. It is in a good condition except for one repaired foot and a draught crack in the belly. Budai or the Laughing Buddha is the god of happiness and prosperity. The Laughing Buddha is not a Gautam Buddha, but an eccentric Chinese Ch’an (Zen) monk who lived in China, circa 907 AD during the Liang dynasty. He is somewhat akin to Santa Claus in the West, since Budai was famous for his Buddhist sermons and for his bag full of gifts, which he brought to children. Height: 18 cm Weight: 340 grams