A LARGE LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF A LUOHAN, MING DYNASTY
Lot 362 - FAS1025

China, 1368-1644, circa 16^th century. Finely carved seated in bhadrasana (‘European style’) on a tall base, the right hand clutching the left which is enveloped within the voluminous folds of his robe which loosely drapes his body and falls gracefully in U-shape folds to his feet, partially covered his shoes. The face with a serene demeanor, heavy-lidded downcast eyes below arched brows, flanked by ears with pendulous lobes, the hair is closely shorn.

The back with a large rectangular aperture still bearing its original seal, possibly retaining its original sacred contents, and the back of the head with an oblong aperture.

Provenance: A private collection in Los Angeles, United States, assembled between 1990 and 2005, and thence by descent.
Condition: Condition commensurate with age, with significant old wear, expected age cracks, weathering, minor traces of insect activity, losses, and a few small old repairs and touchups. Scattered nicks and scratches are visible, and the seal to the upper prayer’s pocket is lost. The lacquering consists of many layers, some likely later than the statue itself, as is typical for a wooden figure of approximately 500 years of age.

Dimensions: Height 79.5 cm

Images of luohan, the enlightened followers of the Buddha, became exceedingly popular in China from the Tang period onwards. Because they were often depicted in groups of at least 16, artists began to imbue the different luohan with individualized or distinguishing characteristics of their spiritual states. The portrait-like depictions found in many sculptures of luohan executed in various media from the Song dynasty onwards suggest that some of these depictions may have been portraits of actual monks.

A prayer’s pocket, as found twice on the back of the present statue, is a hollow compartment or cavity in a religious sculpture, typically designed to hold sacred objects such as prayers, mantras, relics, or consecrated items.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 March 2001, lot 98
Price: USD 28,200 or approx. EUR 44,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A lacquered wood figure of a luohan, Ming dynasty,
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving. Note the larger size (106.7 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 1999, lot 163
Price: USD 23,000 or approx. EUR 38,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare lacquered wood figure of a luohan, Song dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and manner of carving. Note the size (64 cm) and earlier dating.