Expert’s note: The present lot depicts Vijraputra, one of the eighteen luohan, who is also known as the ‘laughing lion luohan’ (chinese: xiaoshi luohan) and is always accompanied by a Buddhist lion.

China. Finely carved as a reclining luohan, leaning with his right arm on a Buddhist lion while holding a ball in his raised left hand, dressed in loose robes open at the chest, the garment falling in folds over the bent knees and arms, embellished with floral sprays and geometrical designs at the hem painted in green, violet, red and blue, the round face with full lips forming a subtle smile framed by a stippled beard, flanked by long pendulous lobes suspending earrings.

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few small nibbles here and there.

Weight: 331.6 g
Dimensions: Height 8.2 cm

The Buddhist lion with an animated expression and raised head, its mouth open to reveal sharp fangs.

The opaque stone is of a creamy white tone suffused with pale gray, amber, and russet inclusions.

The eighteen luohan (arhats) are the original followers of Buddha, who were commanded to await the coming of the Future Buddha, Maitreya. Believed by some to have attained enlightenment, they are also regarded as being freed from the cycle of reincarnation and act as guardians over those who have not.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related soapstone figure of a luohan, 10.8 cm high, dated to the 17^th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2013.167.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 20 June 2014, lot 6578
Price: USD 6,875 or approx. EUR 8,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved soapstone figure of a luohan, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related pose, facial expression, pigments, and decoration of the robe. Note the size (9 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2012, lot 282
Estimate: GBP 6,000 or approx. EUR 7,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved soapstone figure of a luohan, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related pose, facial expression, pigments, decoration of the robe, and size (9.2 cm).



十七至十八世紀白芙蓉石笑獅羅漢
中國。戲獅羅漢擺件選用芙蓉石雕刻而成，整體色帶微黃，質地堅實老結，採用立體圓雕的手法雕刻。羅漢坐於地上，靠著獅子，一足平放，另一足隨意支起，一手高舉一球；雙目低垂而閉，長耳垂肩，嘴角微有笑意，神態安詳如在冥思。衣服上使用紅綠紫藍四色描繪紋理。一隻小獅伏於羅漢身側，蜷身昂首，圓目闊嘴，意態溫順，惟妙惟肖。

來源：英國古玩交易。
品相：狀況極好，有輕微磨損和一些小磕損。

重量：331.6 克
尺寸：高8.2 厘米

不透明的石料呈乳白色調，泛著淡灰色、琥珀色和赤褐色內含物。

文獻比較：
比較一件相近的十七世紀羅皂石，10.8 厘米高，收藏於大都會藝術博物館，館藏編號 2013.167。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：舊金山邦瀚斯，2014年6月20日，lot 6578
價格：USD 6,875（相當於今日EUR 8,100）
描述：十七至十八世紀羅漢皂石
專家評論：比較相近姿勢，面部表情，長袍的顏料和裝飾。請注意尺寸 (9 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦蘇富比，2012年11月7日，lot 282
估價：GBP 6,000（相當於今日EUR 7,900）
描述：十七/十八世紀加彩壽山石「搖鈴羅漢」
專家評論：比較相近的姿勢，面部表情，長袍的顏料和裝飾，以及尺寸 (9.2 厘米)。