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A beautiful, highly collectible Chinese porcelain figurine of the Laughing Buddha (Budai / Hotei) surrounded by 5 playful children. This piece carries deep traditional symbolism, representing joy, wealth, and the ultimate blessing of family happiness and prosperity.
This authentic statue was crafted in the mid-to-late 1970s at the world-famous Jingdezhen Artistic Porcelain Factory during the respected State-Owned Kilns period (Late Republic / Cultural Revolution export era).
Artistic & Material Highlights:
- Pristine Jingdezhen Whiteness: The unpainted sections (such as the Buddha’s face and belly) beautifully showcase the legendary, pure brilliant-white porcelain body that Jingdezhen is globally renowned for. This level of clay purity and high-firing execution is a hallmark of the 1970s state factory quality.
- Hand-Painted Famille Rose (Pink Family) Enamels: The vibrant attire of the children and the lotus details feature premium, heavy-application overglaze enamels. The iconic pink and rose palettes are thick and slightly raised to the touch, meticulously hand-painted by old-school artisans using traditional recipes before the industry shifted to mass-produced decals.
- A Delightful Cultural Detail (4 Boys & 1 Girl): While traditional Chinese lore usually depicts the Buddha strictly with five boys, this beautiful 1970s export version features four playful boys and one distinct little girl (on the right, adorned with the traditional Shuangyaji "double bun" hairstyle). This clever artistic choice by the Jingdezhen masters symbolizes perfect family balance, yin-yang harmony, and complete happiness.
- The Significance of the "Mei" (Artistic Porcelain) Factory: This piece originates from the prestigious Jingdezhen Artistic Porcelain Factory (marked by the character "Mei" / 美). During China’s state-controlled 1970s era, this specific kiln was reserved for elite artisans trained by pre-war masters. Unlike mass-market commercial kilns, it focused on limited-production runs, exhibition pieces, and diplomatic exports. Finding a Laughing Buddha from the "Mei" factory with this gender-balanced composition is an exceptional rarity today.
Markings on the Base:
- Features the official red diamond-shaped export backstamp read as "Zhongguo Jingdezhen" with the center character "Mei", identifying the Artistic Porcelain Factory production.
- Includes hand-painted artist/brigade number "= 99 =" in red.
- Impressed factory mold/shape number "71" in the porcelain paste.
Dimensions:
- Height: 6.5 inches
- Width: 6 inches
Condition:
Pristine vintage condition with absolutely NO chips, cracks, crazing, or repairs. The colors remain wonderfully bright and vibrant. The facial expressions on both the Buddha and the children are exceptionally fine, lively, and meticulously hand-painted.
Please note: All staging photos are for styling and visualization purposes only. Plants, flowers, food, and other decorative accessories shown in staged images are not included.
Kindly review all photos and details prior to purchase.
Due to the nature of these items, returns are not accepted.
Thank you for understanding.
