They are Chinese good luck kitties. Seen often in Chinese restaurants and various Chinatowns.
I got mine in Chinatown. The first and only time ive had Peking duck. She was in the window of a typical tourist trap place selling NYC souvenirs. She never brought me any luck that I’m aware of, but she’s a cute conversation starter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maneki-neko
Wow. According to Wikipedia they are actually Japanese,
Yet they are in every Chinese restaurant I know near me.
Strange,and wonderful.
I would like to have one of those “lucky” cats, and also a “lucky” bamboo plant. I’m encouraged to get the latter because I have managed to keep my Norfolk Island pine alive since Christmas!