Please let me know if this helps.

note this has not been polished or cleaned since we've had it

using your advise and hoping i haven't devalued our buddha, please pics i added - we tried the hot needle test and did not smell any plastic or chemical - which you can see (pic 1 added) by the white dots on the bottom, io also was unable to push the hot needle in, i was using pliers and a hot needle, if it were plastic/resin it should have left a black mark too i think. I do believe i smelled something faintly organic. Re your last comments regarding black marks - which this item has on his head in faint streaks - see pic 2 added. We purchased this over 20 years ago and it has always looked the same. I have not seen any other like it. There is a marking on the bottom which i do not if that is the artist. This is not a manufactured or made from a mold - if you zoom in you can see this has been hand painted with a lot of detail. It also appears he is wearing a Japanese kimono - I do not know of any japanese buddhist. I also requested an appraisal, i do appreciate your opinion and your estimate is not list in your comments. With all due respect, is it possible this is an item that is extremely rarer then you think or believe?
I am available to chat via phone - feel free to call me at 562-400-8676

Dear Schuyler McBride,

Thanks for doing the test. If you cannot smell any chemical components it means I can rule out plastic. Usually these items are rude worked and you see popped bubbles on the material and saw stripes. I do not see that in your buddha. I thought the buddha was to big to be a nut like Tagua. I ruled that one out because I missed the dry cut marks. See this link:

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/772755325/een-leguaan-slapen-onder-een-blad-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tagua+nut+carving&ref=sc_gallery-1-4&plkey=1a97279c45dc24234311da77443e475f9dd58c42%3A772755325

What is the size of the object exactly ?

We will find out I will do my very best to give you a clear answer.

Regards,

Simon Breider

Hi Simon,

Please new images added - 1 shows the weight ( US weights & measures ) the other shows the exact width which just shy of 6 inches, the height is just under 4 inches. The reasearch my wife and were doing yesterday found , the closets thing we found that resembles this is a (KUTANI) or maybe (HOTI) We were trying to figure the signature on the bottom, and she says its chinese, i'm skeptical. while i was searching for a place to test with needle, i found that behind his right arm right at the belt line. someone had taken a sample, as there is a small hole.
I don't know - given the intricate art work surrounding it - i think there has to be something more there than meets the eye.
looking forward to your response,

Schuyler

Dear Schuyler,

That rules out Tagua nut
Its simply to big for that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_ivory

What I can tell you is; it comes from China and is made after 1980. The style is similar to what I know from late carvings from China, even in ivory. I still believe you have a statue made of some composite material. Its party done in a mould and partly done by hand. Its not organic material I believe. That brings a lower price normally; Organic cut statues of good quality have a fair [pricetage as statues made of composite material can made in huge quantities and that reflects on the price. I will not change my opinion about the value of the statue. I'm sorry to say to you.

Regards,

Simon Breider

Thank you for your time.

Schuyler McBride