Gilt silver hat ornament in the shape of ‘Putai’ (Smiling Buddha). Putai or Budai is usually identified as an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, so much so that the Putai image is one of the main forms in which Maitreya is depicted in Asia. Rubbing his belly is supposed to bring Wealth, Good Luck and Prosperity. There is a tiny plaque with Chinese hallmarks inside mentioning that it is made of silver ‘Wen Yin’ (纹银) and the characters ‘Ming Yong Chang Fa’ (明永长發) which may be a name. Most of the gilding is rubbed. The ornament dates from the Republic Period (1912 – 1947). Height 3.3 cm. Width 2.3 cm. Depth 1.4 cm.