Netsuke, ivory. Japan, around 1800 until early 19th cent.
Laughing, standing god of fortune with bulging belly. Hotei holds in one hand with strings a sack of treasures, in the other a life-sustaining fan. He counts among the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japan, Shichi Fukujin and wears Chinese clothing, as he was also active in China as miraculaous monk in 10th cent. Powerful carving, very good age patina. The lower half is hollow, through which the cord channel runs, as well as through the back. Finely carved signature SHIGE-MASA 重 正.
HEIGHT 4, 3 CM
From an old German collection