Putai or Budai is a Chinese folklore deity. His name actually means ‘cloth sack’ and comes from the bag that he is usually depicted with. He is almost always shown smiling or laughing and he is often depicted with adoring children just like in this miniature carving which depicts him seated on his cloth sack in a pine forest with four boys at his side. Also depicted are a Pine Tree, symbolizing Longevity and Bamboo which stands for Humility & Fidelity. A pile of books is symbolic of a scholar and of a High position. The kernel of a Chinese ‘gânlan’ fruit which is a very hard material was used to make this miniature carving. It dates from the last quarter of the 20th century. Length 3.6 cm. Diameter 1.7 cm.