A jolly ole soul is he!! He makes one smile.....but he sure looks recent to me. Those in the know will be along to tell you more.
In searching for Happy Buddha, I came across one called Shiwan pottery. In doing a quick search, I think that is the area where your figure is from. I agree more recent as in the last 20 years. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.ReB68yUCHOE#imgrc=_ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiwan_ware Mud men are from this area https://www.google.com/search?q=shi...ziivjWAhXKjlQKHc2bASYQsAQILg&biw=1263&bih=916