the circular onyx tray with squared rim and central column surmounted by the carved agate seated figure of a 'billiken', the base with feathered silver-gilt screw, incomplete and restored

Crewe House, London, Inventory, Vol. 1, 1913, p.270, in The Gallery; A circular onyx Tray with pillar in centre and seated Billiken;
West Horsley Place, Surrey, Inventory, 1938, Vol. 1, p.7, in the Morning Room; A 5” circular white onyx Ash Tray with carved figure of gnome.

'West Horsley Place, Surrey - II', Country Life, 1 April 1939, illustrated on a table in the Morning Room in the West Wing, pl. 2, p. 299

Some chips to edges, billeken re-stuck
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

There are various different explanations for the source of the carved hardstone  'Billeken' figures which first appeared in the Cartier records around 1910. According to Judy Rudoe, the cheerful plump deity with smiling face, topknot and upturned feet was described by Cartier as 'Billeken, the Anglo-Saxon god of happiness'. The figure was usually carved from agate or rock crystal and surmounted ashtrays, table bells, and even sitting enthroned above the porticos of the magical mystery clocks. Hans Nadelhoffer also notes in a choice juxtaposition that 'Queen Alexandra was pleased with her Cartier Billiken and Maxim Gorki presented one to H.G. Wells on the occasion of the latter's visit to Russia'. (See Judy Rudoe, Cartier 1900-1939, exhibition catalogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1997, no. 123, p. 206 for the Shinto shrine gate mystery clock; Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier Jewelers Extraordinary, London, 1984, p. 95 and pl. 73 for an ashtray surmounted by a Billiken). The most plausible, documented explanation for the figure is that the Billiken was a lucky charm created in 1908 by Florence Pretz, an art teacher from Missouri, who is said to have evoked 'the God of Things as They Ought To Be' in a dream - and then patented the design for the toy. It was said to be good luck to buy a billiken, better luck to be given one and curiously, best luck of all to have it stolen. A number of large lifesize figures were also created in Japan and Saint Louis University - it was considered lucky to rub the upturned soles of the statues' feet.