Bronze figures.

Hello everyone. I'm need your help, please. Is this young Happy Laugh Maitreya Buddha sitting on frog? Any opinion about this...how old.. and what that means? Looks old to me. Thank you.

 

Think a 3-legged toad (money toad?) is an auspicious symbol in China.

 

I understood. Thank you. How old do you think?

 

I couldn't possibly say exactly when it was made, but it is not old enough to have any meaning for its value. The Chinese have a thriving industry in producing replicas of their own antiquities. The bit about the toad is the only thing I know. Maybe another member will have some thoughts on the construction & age.

 

I liked your opinion. I agree it is difficult to determine when it was done. Thank you very much.

 

A very happy figure -- good to keep in the home.

 

It looks like the hands have been filed down to allow the figure to hold something between the thumbs and the palms. The assembly with a small bolt also strikes me as unusual for an Asian-made object. I wonder if it may be a bit of chinoiserie designed as a card holder or some such.

 

You're right. When I look at this figure ,it reminds me of the song'' Hands up'' and I smile.

 

He is happy and laughing, but not the Maitreya Buddha. Buddhas typically have long earlobes, and they don't wear a bandana type headdress.

The figure is Liu Haichan, a Taoist Immortal who founded the main branch of Taoism in China. Liu Haichan is associated with the three legged toad, although I can't remember the story.

And I agree, he is meant to be holding something, a mirror maybe? I think he is a Chinese original.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Haichan

 

Your idea has a meaning, great. If he holds, such that reinforces the meaning of this figure, such as happiness, wealth, success. It is quite possible.

 

I never knew, I wonder, I will read it. Thank you.

 

You are right i found a lot of images Liu Haichan .Thank very much. It is interesting.