Large Laughing Buddha Statue - Green Hard Stone - China - Period: Art Nouveau

Very nice realization in green hard stone made in China. This large statue depicts the standing "Laughing Buddha" wearing a necklace of pearls of wisdom in his left hand and a ball in his right hand known as the ball of wealth. A large solar disc, symbolizing light, illuminates the Buddha's smile. The meaning of the laughing Buddha with beads and/or a ball of wealth is that of meditation. The representation of the wealth ball is a sign of wealth and prosperity. Period: Late 19th century - Early 20th century - Art Nouveau Dimensions: Height: 103,5cm x Width: 30cm x Depth: 18cm The image of the Laughing Buddha is inspired by a wandering Chinese monk, Budai (Hotei, in Japanese), who lived there centuries ago and believed to be Maitreya, or the Buddha to come. The plump figure and the benevolent attitude of the statue suggest contentment, magnanimity and plenitude. Often referred to as the Laughing Buddha, his signature smile symbolizes contentment and pure joy. The Laughing Buddha is considered a symbol of good luck, and rubbing its big head or belly is believed to bring good fortune and wealth. The fat belly of the Laughing Buddha is a symbol of tolerance, it also shows that prosperity and wealth can go hand in hand with enlightened consciousness. If we talk about Hinduism, Lord Kuber is considered as the Lord of Wealth and Fortune. However, in China, people used to keep a Laughing Buddha statue...

Very beautiful realization in Jadeite stone made in China. This large statue represents "Guan-Yin" standing dressed in a magnificent long dress crowned with a tiara of pearls, as th...

A bronze proof with a black brown patina on a flowery terrace, magnified by a very nice griotte marble base "Standing Race Horse", also known as "Saddled Race Horse", following the e...

A very fine piece of natural stone, Sodalite, made in China. Finely chiselled, this large statue depicts a scene of life in which several ancient symbols stand side by side, such as the Phoenix, swallows, a horse, earthly abundance with its luxuriant vegetation, fruit, but also food from the ocean and its generous fish, a man, a woman and a child. First discovered in Greenland in 1806, Sodalite was analysed by a Scottish chemist 5 years later (1811), Mr Thomas Thomson. Several long years went by without it achieving any real success. It was not until 1891 that the stone was recognised as an ornamental stone.    It was during a diplomatic trip to Canada in 1901 that Mary de Teck (wife of King George V) discovered Sodalite and fell under the spell of this natural stone.  The princess ordered a large quantity of Sodalite to decorate her London flats. Sodalite quickly became fashionable.   Period: Late 19th century - Napoleon III Dimensions: Total height with base: 92cm x Width: 31.5cm x Depth: 27cm Dimensions of wooden base: Height: 7cm x Length: 25cm x Width: 23cm But what do these symbols mean? The phoenix, a mythological bird, symbolises purification and rebirth, as it is said to rise from its own ashes.   This magnificent bird is also synonymous with good fortune, opportunity and luck in Asian cultures. In feng shui, the phoenix is also one of the four celestial animals (sometimes also known as the red bird or red raven). The red phoenix...

Lovely and rare collector's statue, in Limoges porcelain, theatrical character representing "Argan" from Molière's famous comedy: "The Imaginary Invalid". Argan is the imaginary patient, what in scholarly language is called a hypochondrium. Apart from this defect, he is rather a good man and a good father. However, he is under the control of a second hypocritical woman whom he does not want to upset, as well as doctors who...

A delightful statuette depicting a rider riding his mount, in terracotta with a turquoise, brown and white glaze known as three colours (sancai).  The horse is standing on an oblong ...

Lovely piece Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 19th Century Age: ca 1900 Original/Reproduction: Original Condition: Overall Condi...

A fine collection of five metal laughing buddha. Laughing Buddha playing with children usually five in number, which symbolizes good luck and posit...

A large, finely carved Tang style stone statue of Buddha Amitabha. Depicted with a full-cheeked face below neatly gathered hair and ushnisha, with large eyes, downcast smile and full...

A rare Nouveau classical figure of a young female nude with poppies. Beautifully hand carved in white marble, circa 1895, European the base is 6.5 inches in diameter with a total hei...

A beautiful hand carved stone statue of Buddha Amitabha. Seated in dhyanasana, Buddha wears a robe elegantly draped over his body and gathered around his ankles. Finely depicted face...

Large Royal Dux cup crafted in porcelain biscuit. The biscuit is partially enameled, and highlighted with polychrome accents. The cup features two nymphs climbing a shell on waves. O...