Vintage Japanese Resin Hotei Buddha Figurine, Signed, c.1960

Meet Hotei — the laughing, round-bellied fellow who has been bringing good vibes to Japanese homes since roughly forever. This particular version was made in Japan around 1960, cast in resin (not ivory, not bone — resin, clearly stated, no drama), and decorated with extraordinary patience by someone who clearly had a very fine brush and nowhere to be.

The front is smooth and polished: Hotei stands arms raised in celebration, wearing a beaded necklace with a small pendant, his robes falling open to reveal the famous belly. The back and lower robes are covered in dense sgraffito-style engraving — wave patterns, floral motifs, geometric hexagons, and what appears to be a rooster — all filled with dark ink for contrast. The base carries a maker's seal in a rectangular cartouche alongside additional engraved decoration.

It's the kind of object that looks considerably more expensive than it is, which is either a compliment to the craftsman or an indictment of the current market. We'll go with compliment.

• Vintage Japanese Hotei (Laughing Buddha) figurine, c.1960
• Cast resin with hand-engraved and ink-filled decoration
• Material: resin/kunsthars — not ivory, not bone
• Dense wave, floral, and geometric motifs on reverse
• Maker's seal on base in rectangular cartouche
• Good vintage condition — minor age-related marks
• 11 × 4 cm, 133 g
• Japan, c.1960

WARNING: Hotei is traditionally associated with happiness, abundance, and good luck. We make no guarantees, but statistically speaking, your shelf could use the help.