This is an antique Japanese late Meiji Era (c. 1890) wooden statue of one of the seven gods of luck, Hotei. He is well rendered here with his well known protruding belly and holding a fan and loving smile. His protruding belly represents abundance and prosperity. A Buddhist priest, he has a good-natured temperament and is always willing to do acts of kindness for others. This statue is made from kiri (paulownia) wood with twenty coats of various colored lacquer.

This antique Hotei statue measures 11 1/4" (28.5 cm) tall. Despite some loss of lacquer and a warm aged patina, it remains in fine condition.