Antique Chinese Budai Pocket Figure (Laughing Buddha), Copper Alloy, Late 19th Century, 6.5 cm

Looking for a small, genuinely old Chinese good-luck figure? This standing Budai pocket figure – the laughing Buddha with both arms raised and a bare, round belly – fits comfortably in the palm. Cast in a copper alloy (bronze or brass) in China in the late 19th century, it now wears a dark patina with green oxidation from years of handling.

Chinese characters sit on the belly and again on the back, written by hand in black ink rather than cast into the metal. A few remain readable; an ink inscription alone does not prove age. Those signs of use are exactly what make this collectible pocket figure so appealing – perfect on a desk, altar or in a cabinet.

Condition

Dark patina with green oxidation, wear and light residues consistent with long handling. No missing parts are visible.

Specifications

• Origin: China
• Date: late 19th century
• Material: copper alloy (bronze or brass)
• Height × width: 6.5 × 3.5 cm
• Statue weight: 100 g

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.