Antique Rare Large Lohan with Hands in Reverence, China (16436A-WHKE) $7300

$7,300.00

H: 28.25  W: 12.75”  D: 9.75” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

This exceptional, beautifully crafted rare 17-18th century Ming/Qing large Lohan is from the same Buddhist site as the foreign-born heavy bearded Lohan (Bodhidharma), and the same artist may have carved both. Although a Buddhist image, as a lohan he is portrayed as a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features.  His benevolent youthful face sweetly smiling face with downcast eyes is an image of compassion, wisdom and peace.

Description

Early Chinese Mahayana statues portrayed Lohans as followers of the Buddha, living in the human world in human forms. Through their Buddhist practices, spirituality and asceticism, they achieved enlightenment and were no longer subject to rebirths in the cycle of samsara but choose to not enter nirvana and remain as guardians to preserve Buddhist teachings and protect the Buddhist faith. Their depiction changed in the 16th century to absorb traits of Taoist immortals: sages with magical powers, perfect knowledge of all things including the nature and the secrets of immortality who could elicit perfection in others. Legends about them continually evolved and portrayals of them differ among dynasties and regions. All Lohans as monks have identifiable characteristics: pendulous ears, the sign of spiritual superiority and coming Buddhahood and Enlightenment and their identification as Taoist sages; shaved heads reflecting their detachment from worldly pleasures and renunciation of mundane desires; and traditional robes from with long sleeves covering the hands and knees draped over the left shoulder and fastened with a prominent circular pin. It is almost impossible to identify specific Lohans since they weren’t generally portrayed with identifiable features, emblems, attributes or poses and often identifying attributes were lost or replaced over time. Unlike all other enlightened beings who are idealized and adhere to defined Buddhist tenets, Lohans are depicted in naturalistic form, often as portraits with individual features and personality traits rendered in great detail and realism. During the Ming and Qing dynasties these statues tended to reflect local practices and physical and cultural characteristics in daily Chinese lives and some, like this reflected the syncretic blending of Buddhism, Taoism, Popular Religion traditions and Chinese legends as well as a shift from religious to a secular orientation. This antique-Chinese-wood-carving is portrayed as a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features. His large and wide forehead sets off the hood that lies flat on his shaved head. He sits on a high backless throne in monks attire: robes with a cowl over his shoulders tied under his chin, extended belt, material draped between his legs, and wavelike creases at the arms, elbows, knees, shoulders, and legs with monk’s red slippers. This large carving from Xian in Northern China was consecrated as seen by the back cavity. Extremely rare, this image was probably displayed in the same temple/shrine as the Lohan portrayed as Bodhidharma  Lohan carving 16463A and we recommend displaying them together.  It is part of the VA Collection of Buddhist-Art

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Additional information

Place of Origin

China

Period

Antique, Ming/Qing Dynasties

Date

17-18th Century

Materials and Technique

Wood

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 28.25” W: 12.75” D: 9.75”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 71.75cm W: 32.38cm D: 24.76cm

Condition

Excellent, age appropriate signs of wear

Reference Number

16436A-WHKE

Shipping Box Size