Familiars of Fortune - Lucky Cat II 🔴 SOLD

Familiars of Fortune – Lucky Cat II . Oil, acrylic , gesso and gold leaf on wooden icon panel, 20x31x3cm. Comes with a signed palette used to create the piece and a bell that’s in the painting which will come in a Japanese red envelope used for giving money/gifts, it’s called a pochibukuro (ポチ袋).
Inspired by my own British Shorthair tabby, Luna, Lucky Cat II reimagines the traditional maneki-neko as a living familiar of fortune. Her raised paw beckons good luck and opportunity, while the 招財進寶 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) plaque carries the wish to “invite wealth and bring in treasure.” Around her neck hangs a jade bi disc, an ancient symbol associated with harmony, protection and heaven, while the rich red and gold collar evokes prosperity, celebration and good fortune. The glowing gold halo elevates Luna from beloved pet to contemporary icon – a small guardian of abundance!
Behind her, bamboo represents resilience, longevity and continual growth, while the gold breaking through the storm clouds suggests prosperity and light emerging even through uncertain times. The lightning hints at the story behind Maneki-neko of the Lucky Cat beckoning to a Samuraisutting under a tree during a storm, so he moves towards the cat and lightning strikes where he had been sitting - this lucky cat saved his life.  Together, Luna sits at the meeting point between luck and chaos, softness and power – a familiar raising one paw to quietly summon whatever good fortune might be heading your way.