I know nothing about your statue, but just want to say that I think he's wonderful! Such a delightful piece, and I hope you really enjoy him in your lovely home!

As for your adobe style, well -- I happen to know that New Mexico (especially Santa Fe) was settled by folks who came from all over, and brought many different styles of furnishings and family heirlooms with them, and incorporated it all, along with the indigenous arts and crafts of the region. It's eclectism at its best, IMO! Your statue will be a lovely complement to your Southwest haven.
:-)

I did a bit of searching, and if I'm understanding what I've read correctly, the boy on the fish motif has to do with Nian Hua, the Chinese New Year. Here's a link that might inspire further ideas for searching ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Nian Hua - chubby boys and fish!

Lynn, when were you here in this area? We could have had a get-together with some of us locals.

Thanks, Jen, for the link. I KNEW that you'd understand our eclectic leanings out here :~)

Mona, I was there from Thursday through this past Monday. I had no idea that there were GW's in the Tarpon Springs area or I would have tried to set up something. As it was though, DH, DD & I were visiting my parents who have a Winter home down there. With a 15 y/o, we had to "do" the beach at Anclote, shopping at the Sponge Docks, eating out at Hellas, Catches and other favorite spots, and taking Dad & Mom out on one of the nature cruises around the bay area there. In other words, it was a fun but busy few days. We didn't rent a car, but hired a limo to take us back and forth to the airport, so my parents were usually with us everywhere this trip. Are you in the Tarpon Springs area? Next time we head down there, I'll definitely let you all know so that we can at least do lunch.
Lynn

I miss trips to Tarpon Springs. All kinds of interesting things there and lots of good food.

BTW, I didn't laugh at all when I saw the topic and your userid together. Though you haven't posted pics of the DR before, I've seen your eclecticism even in the other rooms.

I'm glad that you could see the electic elements in my other rooms, Pbrisjar. I was concerned that people might focus only on the Spanish or Southwest pieces and think my Chinese statue was totally out of place. Jen's right, most New Mexicans' homes are pretty eclectic. The magazines don't seem to pick up on that, though.
Lynn

There are several of us here in Tampa. It's just a short drive to Tarpon Springs.

Did you go to Paul's? It's casual, but offers good food. Their jumbo prawns are huge!!!

Well I think it's wonderful and I would remove the felt to check underneath.
We used to visit my FIL in Dunedin every year. Along with trips to Clearwater, and Caledesi(in his little boat that we brought back to MD one year) a trip to Tarpon Springs was usually included. I can't get used to that Greek salad there( scoop of potato salad on top) is so different than the Greek salad here at the Greek Cathedral dinners. Brings back fun, fun memories, we haven't been down there since 1999.
And yes I did laugh, not at you but that because with all of the Greek souvenirs you picked up an adorable Chinese boy. I have to admit my second thought was oh how is that gonna work, adobe and Chinese?? My next thought was oh yeah,its Lynn, it will work for her!

Lynn, so funny about eccentricity out here -- as if everyone in NM has a traditional adobe full of nichos and vigas! Though that's what our local realtors seem to think, that people moving here only want stereotypical Santa Fe style. I know whereof I speak, at least in a limited way -- when we had our house reappraised at the top of the bubble, to get rid of PMI, the realtor who did it was favorable to us but noted that the house wasn't "Southwestern" and therefore wouldn't be interesting to people relocating to southern NM...

So, you don't want to pull off the felt to see? You could re-glue it onto the bottom. But there may be no markings anyway. And I confess........I was smiling when the picture came up. I have your dining room and kitchen in my head and was wondering where he could go. Should have known better. None of us are locked in that tight to one look. Seven years ago, I found a hidden gem garage sale way out at the edge of the Valley, just before you hit the hills. They had so much vintage Asian art. I could not come home without a lamp that was an Asian lady figurine of chalk, with a deep red shade. And it was a big lamp. My family about died. Nothing I said about eclectic decorating made any sense to any of them. She enjoyed a spot in my bedroom for a while, but finally, the hoots brought me back to common sense. I guess I wasn't 'that' eclectic. A collector was thrilled to get her. I still miss that girl.

So, Tarpon Springs? Now you have me wanting Greek chicken soup. I was just looking at an old (I was 19) photo of me and my friends when we went to Tarpon at the end of a trip to Disney. I lived in St.Pete at the time. I'm going to have to make a Florida trip soon.....this summer I hope.

Red

Thanks, Red! I feel for you with the chalkware lamp, though. It sounds like she was wonderful. You used to live in St.Pete's? I used to live in Deerfield Beach! I love visiting Florida, but don't miss living there . . . no offense to anyone who does, though. I just love our 4 mild-but-distinct seasons here better.

Mona, I've never been to Paul's, but I'll remember it for our next trip there. Thanks! And, I'll definitely try for a lunch with you all then, too.

Cooperbailey, thanks, what a lovely compliment. There's a great restaurant in Dunedin at a marina, I believe, that we've been to. I like that town, as it has so many art galleries and shops.

Walkin, I soooooo know what you mean about other people's preconceived ideas about our homes out here! It's as funny as it is frustrating . . . like thinking everyone in New York lives in small, walk-up apartments ;~P
It's the decorating mags fault, as they never show anything else here in New Mexico.

Again, thanks for the comps and the info on my new piece of art. You've talked me into peeling off the protective green felt glued to it's bottom. I'm anxious to see what markings he might have.

Here's a pic I took yesterday afternoon (not the best time for pics in my dining room, though) with some of the other Asian and could-be Asian things from around my house. This is NOT a tablescape, though. Just getting a feel for what might work with my statue and what I need to keep an eye out for still. BTW, my table is a very heavy, 9 1/2' long mahogany one, so it needs a big centerpiece on it.
Lynn

Auntjen is correct, the image is usually seen on a "Nian Hua", or Chinese New Year poster.

Here are many posters with the image, and a lot more info about them:

Here is a link that might be useful: Chubby baby and fish

Oh, and I found this:

Another characteristic of New Year pictures is the use of symbolism. For example, a chubby, happy baby is often shown embracing a big fish, with a lotus flower at its side. The word "fish" in Chinese is yu, which sounds like another word meaning "affluence", and the word "lotus" in Chinese is lian, which is a homonym of another word meaning "in succession".

As I recall, fish mean wealth and prosperity in the Chinese culture. The baby is bringing in good fortune for the new year. In a Feng Shui book I read, it said to never point a statue of a fish towards a door or window. Your prosperity would be leaving your home.....and never put 3 fish in a grouping together or you would have bad luck; they compared it to a love triangle.

I really....really like that statue!!!!! :0) WOW!!!!

He's absolutely adorable . . . I'm glad you brought him home with you. I think he'll fit in wherever you put him!!

Redbazel, LOL about your Asian lady! I have a piece of metal sculpture by a woman whose work I really like. I fell in love with "Fairy Godmother" several years ago in a shop in Saugatuck, Michigan, and visited her for three years before buying her. My DH doesn't get it, many people who see it don't get it . . . but I DO!! and I've learned to live with the ridicule and just enjoy her.

I may put her in my hosta garden just outside my office window. Or I may inflict her on my DH in the living room . . . haven't decided yet!!

just had to put in a plug for my favorite source for Chubby baby pictures.

Most are the very traditional style like the one above, but you can also find great, cultural specific propaganda too.
Baby Learn Knowledge and Little Treasure Learns to Read

Here is a link that might be useful: The Red Face

Thanks to everyone for all the info . . . and for that cute pic, Littledog. For the time being, I'm leaving him on our dining room table, as I love looking at him. Last night I made Shepherds Pie, salad and a fruit & cheese plate for supper. My 15 y/o DD told us that it felt "weird to be eating such an un-Asian meal on Asian plates and with Mom's new very Asian tablescape"! DH said that he liked the statue and the setting, but felt as though we should have been eating with chopsticks. I'm ignoring it all! I anm so glad that I didn't leave him in that Florida art gallery. I know that I'd be regretting it if I had.
Lynn

There was a lot of asian inflence even in the deep south back in some of the old plantation homes, which surprized me.

I have seen this chinese statue in upscale antique shops over the years.

I bet it does look fabulous in your Asian tablescapes or even un-Asian ones.

.....Jane

Lynne, Yes!!! he is sooo very sweet.
Glad you adopted him. I think he looks good on the table, but I'm sure he'll be traveling around the house, until he finds the spot where is the most happiest.

Nicole, I have a big fish Planter on my DR table facing the door. I just turned him around sort of angled his nose
to the left of the front window facing the wall! Thanks!
Joann

NewDawn, I hadn't thought of that in years! But I do remember now that the trading ships were bringing back many beautiful pieces from China at that time. William Morris produced some beautiful Asian-influenced wallpaper around that then, too. As I recall from my design studies (way back when), it was very popular.

Joann, thanks! Yes, he's a sweet boy that will surely look good wherever he ends up in here.

Nicole: (LOL!) I went right out to check which direction the fish was facing . . . towards the French doors that open into our family room in the middle of our home, so I'm thinking that's a safe bet. My dining room has French doors and huge windows everywhere :~O
Is it only windows and doors to the outside that matter?
Lynn

The posters are fun in a campy sort of way, but not nearly as cool as your boy. The porcelain flowers are perfect with him. The small print is nice too; is that a pine overlooking water?