Laughing seated Buddha made of granite in one piece, Hotei

A laughing, seated Buddha-Hotei made of granite, carved from a single block. The classic East Asian pose with crossed legs and a round belly, iconographically depicted in the standard anatomy passed down through generations.

Hotei (Japanese Budai) is the laughing Buddha. He symbolizes happiness and prosperity and is one of the most frequently depicted figures in East Asian sculpture.

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Its hardness makes the material durable for massive sculptures. A figure of this width from a single block demonstrates an exceptionally large selection of raw material.

Chinese granite sculpture of religious figures dates back over a thousand years. Gallery dimensions, free-standing display in a courtyard or foyer are typical applications.