The Maneki Neko, otherwise known as the Welcoming Cat, Lucky
Cat, or Fortune Cat was originally a 7 inch tall ceramic hailing
from Japan, not China. It is usually displayed in businesses, homes
and restaurants, often at the entrance, as a sign of good luck.
The Maneku Neko seen in 'The Blind Banker' are made of plastic,
and are battery powered to wave the extended arm. This version of
the sculpture is readily available from numerous stalls and shops
in London's Chinatown, as well as multiple places online.