1930s Oriental Style Billiken Good Luck Brooch

A very unusual large brooch in oriental style, and featuring a Billiken. It is made of filigree gold-tone metal with two dragons flanking a Billiken sitting on a throne under a pagoda shaped roof. It is finely modelled with lots of detail. It dates to the 1930s. There is a large pin to the back.

Billiken was a character created in 1908 by American illustrator Florence Pretz. He was the totem of the 'Church of Good Luck', a pseudo self-help movement that sprang from the American 'Mind Cure' craze popular in the early 20th century. It was believed that purchasing a Billiken charm would bring the purchaser good luck. It was considered even better luck to be given a Billiken. His popularity was short lived and waned before the start of WWII.