Marine ivory netsuke depicting Hotei in his treasure bag.

Hotei is one of the Seven Gods of Happiness. Recognizable by his large bare belly and kind expression on his face, he carries a large treasure bag (takarabukuro) on his back. He is sometimes depicted in this bag, as is the case on this netsuke.

Japan – Edo period(1603-1868)

Height : 1.2 in / 3.8 cm – width: 1.5 in / 4 cm – depth: 0.8 in / 2.3 cm