Carved Amethyst Laughing Buddha (Budai) Figurine

This item is a small, hand-carved statuette of the Laughing Buddha (Budai), crafted from natural amethyst gemstone. The figurine exhibits a semi-translucent purple hue with characteristic cloudy white inclusions and internal fracturing consistent with natural quartz varieties. The Buddha is depicted in a traditional seated pose, featuring a large protruding belly, a bald head, and a jovial facial expression. The carving style is rounded and stylized rather than highly anatomical, suggesting a mass-produced decorative piece from the late 20th or early 21st century. Physically, the piece appears to be roughly 2 to 3 inches in height. The surface shows a high-gloss polish, which helps highlight the color zoning of the amethyst. In terms of condition, there are no obvious chips or large external cracks visible from the frontal view, although the natural internal fissures ('veins') are prominent, which is a standard characteristic of this material. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, indicating commercial production, likely from a lapidary center in East Asia or Brazil. The craftsmanship is of fair quality, with the facial features and clothing folds rendered through smooth, recessed grooves.