This odd little figure has long been a mystery to our gallery members. Where did it come from? Who made it? Were questions we wondered about, but finally, the mystery has been solved. It turns out to be a carved soapstone statue and unique rendition of the once well-known Billiken Figure, forgotten now,  but once a figure that was so popular at the beginning of the 20th century, it was a worldwide meme symbol for good luck and prosperity. 
 
The original figure designed in 1907, first appeared as a funny little creature with pointed ears, a mischievous smile and a tuft of hair on his pointed head. He was usually posed seated with his legs stretched out in front of him. For some unexplained reason, the Billiken image, much like the troll and gnome figures, caught on in popularity and became a worldwide phenomenon, appearing in souvenir shops all around the world. Its smiling face was on everything from dolls to postcards to jewelry. Billiken statues once lined the windows of bookstores and souvenir shops, followed closely by Billiken banks and dolls in toy stores and department stores around the country, and soon around the world. As the Billiken image traveled from place to place, it morphed into new versions inspired by the Japanese, Chinese, Alaskan Inuit, Hawaiian and other cultures that embraced it as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and Buddha of good fortune. 
 
Our unique little version of the Billiken figure dates from the early part of the 20th century and is carved out of soapstone by an unknown folk artist. It is in the seated position, unclad, with legs stretched out in front and hands placed on his rotund Buddha -like belly. He has a rounded bald head with protruding ears, a smiling mouth and pug nose. The eyes are open wide with kewpie doll-like lashes. The soapstone material shows marks of weathering with tiny dots of lichen or mineral deposits accumulated in the crevices and corners.
 
The figure has old glue marks on the right ankle, and the right ear is chipped. The stone is discolored, weathered, with lichen or mineral deposits in the crevices.
 
Dimensions: 3 3/4" L X 2 1/4" W X 2 5/8" D