Got this from my stepmoms fathers items. He was in WW2 .she doesn’t know much about this piece except it has broken ivory teeth.. can anyone put a country or approximate age?
Yes it’s woodThat’s a nice piece. Is it carved wood?
Although often mistaken by Westeners as a depiction of Buddha (and sometimes referred to as the ‘Laughing Buddha'), it actually isn’t the Buddha.
It’s a representation of a Chinese monk called ‘Qici’ and nicknamed ‘Budai’ in Chinese. Although Chinese in origin, these statues could be from anywhere where Buddhism is practiced (Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India or wherever). Qici, with various names in other languages, is venerated for his sermons and noted for bringing gifts to children who have learned the ‘Dharma’ (the teachings of Buddha) as well as bringing happiness, good luck and wealth to households where his statue is displayed.
I would guess it to be late 19th or early 20th Century.