A gilt bronze sculpture of Budai, Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
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The Buddhist monk with joyful visage here portrayed seated, attired in loose robes open to reveal his ample girth, his right hand supported by his knee, his left hand clasped around his sac, with traces of gilt to exterior surfaces. Height 21 cm. Width 18 cm.
Wear, burst.
Provenance
From the collection of Eskil (Viktor Sofokles) Ågren (1897-1969), site manager of Svenska Tändsticksaktiebolaget (Swedish Match) in Asia, the family lived in Shanghai and Kobe during the years 1927-1934. Manager of Västerviks tändsticks AB after the return to Sweden.
More information
The monk Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future. Typically depicted with a joyful expression and wearing loose fitting robes to reveal his plump stomach representing contentment and abundance, Budai is also associated with the protection of children and is often shown with small children playfully climbing on his belly or back.