Caught mid-laugh, with both hands full of money.
The Happy Buddha Pendant is a large sculptural piece — Budai, the Laughing Buddha, seated with his head tipped back and his mouth open in a full laugh, the lines of it cut deep around the eyes and cheeks.
The robe has fallen open across the round of his belly, and a long beaded mala runs down his chest. Set into the belly is a cloud-lappet plaque carrying the character 福 — fu, good fortune — with a small tassel hanging beneath it.
He is carrying treasure in both hands. From one pole hangs a basket heaped with ingots, a wealth character set in a diamond cartouche on its side; from the other hangs a cluster of large square-holed coins, each struck with characters and polished bright. His bare feet are carved down to the toes, resting on the folds of the robe.
The whole body is left in a fine satin and only the coins, beads, ingots and robe edges are polished, which is what makes the treasure read as metal against cloth.
The pendant is built hollow with a solid back. That is what makes a piece this size wearable — three inches of fully modelled sculpture, closed and stiffened by a solid back plate, at a weight you can actually hang on a chain rather than one that sits in a case.
Budai is the wandering monk of the tenth century who carried everything he owned in a cloth sack and gave it away — kept ever since as the figure of contentment, generosity and plenty.
Why You’ll Love It:
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Hollow with a Solid Back – Full 3” presence at a wearable weight; no stones and no plating
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Carved in the Round – A full sculpture, not a relief on a plate
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Wealth Symbols Throughout – Coins, ingot basket and a 福 plaque worked into the composition
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Satin and Polish – Matte body against bright coins, beads and ingots
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Statement Size – 3” tall, 80 grams in 18K and a full 100 grams in 24K
The Happy Buddha Pendant is one of the largest pieces in the collection, and the hollow build is what lets it be worn rather than displayed.
Made to order, turnaround time is typically 2-4 weeks.
Specifications
| Dimensions |
3” in height including bail |
| Bail Opening |
4mm |
| Construction |
Hollow with a solid back |
Estimated Weight by Purity
| Purity |
Approx. Weight |
| 10K |
60.0g |
| 14K |
68.0g |
| 18K |
80.0g |
| 22K |
93.0g |
| 24K |
100.0g |
Approximate Weight Notice
Due to the handcrafted nature of our jewelry and natural variations in gold alloys, listed weights are approximate. Minor differences may occur from piece to piece. These variations are a normal part of fine jewelry production and reflect the individuality of each item. For any changes or questions, please use the "Custom Work" page.
