Lucky cat — Golden tiger's eye

A warm tawny, brighter than classic tiger's eye, whose golden sheen rolls along the fibers.

A piece carved from the solid block and then hand-polished; the motif follows the natural veins of the stone, so no two examples fall the same way on the design.

What tradition attributes to it. Tradition links it to confidence and to quiet self-assertion.

The motif. The maneki-neko, the cat with a raised paw, has been inviting prosperity into Japanese shops since the nineteenth century.

Use & care. A piece for a cabinet, a desk or a shelf, it stands on its own. Dust with a dry cloth; avoid water on pieces with soft veining.

• The golden shade signals a more advanced oxidation of the iron held in the fibers.
• A natural piece: shade, veining and dimensions vary from one example to the next

A decorative object for personal practice. It is no substitute for medical advice or treatment.