A glazed seated figure of Budai, Qing dynasty. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Finely potted with joyous facial expression, the wide face flanked by a pair of pendulous earlobes and framed by a bald head, his bulging belly protruding from a loose robe, his right hand resting atop the knee with the left hand holding his cloth sack. 14.1cm wide. Estimate HK$ 80,000 - 120,000 (€7,700 - 11,000)

The stories of Budai, the 'Laughing Buddha', were based on an eccentric but much-loved Zen monk who lived during the late Tang to early Five Dynasties period. A native of Fenghua, his Buddhist name was Qici, which literally translates as 'promise this', and he was known for working small wonders and predicting the weather.

An accumulation of several Chinese legends, Budai is most commonly regarded as an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha or the Buddha of the Future. He is admired for his happiness, wisdom and contentment, and is associated with the protection of children

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 14:00 CST