Featured Hotei hollow sitting figure - material?

This piece is Hotei, the Japanese God of Happiness & Abundance.

It measures 1 1/2" tall, is 1 5/8" across & is 1 1/8" front to back. He weighs 3 ozs.

It is not marked anywhere I could find & is not attracted to a magnet.

Any thoughts as to what the material might be - bronze - brass?





Thanks for any & all advice or opinions!!

 

The color, especially the front-view, says high-copper content...an' it is a casting; could be a bronze alloy or near-elemental copper. Nice!

 

Thank you!!

I just thought of something. Since this piece came with the collection of assorted boxes & jars (see my post in the finds thread), I wonder if this piece originally had a bottom portion? To me, he has always appeared incomplete. I have seen several sitting Hotei pieces & he always appears to be sitting on pillows.

 

Charming Chinese Hotei, he looks cast bronze or brass. The patina and wear to the base are antique, mid-late 19th century imo.
Asian bronzes are a different alloy (content and percentage) than Western bronzes.

I think he is meant to look like this. Just a nice squat little figurine. You could give him one of those Chinese wooden stands.

 

I have a stash of wooden stands in various sizes. I may see if I can find one to fit this little guy & thereby "sweeten" the deal.

 

Will he be for sale, Peggy?

 

Unfortunately, the stands I have are either a tiny bit too small or way too large.

@wlwhittier - See your PM's.