Ming dynasty, 16th/17th century, China

height: 29.8 cm

Known universally as the Laughing Buddha, Budai (meaning ‘cloth bag’) is represented as a Buddhist monk, and is characteristically portrayed – bald, laughing and corpulent, leaning on a large sack that is a cornucopia of treasure. He is revered in Mahayanist cultures as an incarnation of the bodhisattva Maitreya (or future Buddha).

This gilt bronze Budai is seated in lila asana (meaning ‘royal ease’) upon an ungilt domed base – cast with lotus flowers and scrolling leaves. His right arm is placed on his raised knee, and the hand holds an akshamala (or rosary – a mantra being said for every bead). His left hand holds a scarf or fan, and this arm rests on a bag containing all the mendicant’s worldly possessions; it has fallen open on its side, and some of the contents (gold ingots representing spiritual wealth) spill out. Budai has a portly laughing face and pendulous ears; his shoulders are bare, and an open robe with lotus flower borders reveals his chest, and large belly.

similar example
‘Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal’, Chang Foundation, Taipei 1993 – plate 25.