Soapstone figure of a louhan
Kangxi period, 1662 – 1722
Height: 13.5 cm | 5 5/16 in
Click image for full-size version
Carved from fine stone of pale honey colour, the louhan (a disciple of the Buddha) is seated beside a hollow lingzhi stump in a relaxed cross-legged pose; his right arm rests in his lap and is covered by a long sleeve, and the left hand is raised and holds a mala bead. He wears loose-fitting robes with decorated borders in two layers, felt boots (one of which is visible), and a scarf worn over the shoulders and knotted below the neck – all engraved with designs of lotus flowers and water. The figure is half smiling with wide-open bulging eyes – of piercing intensity; his stippled hair, beard and moustache are finely engraved. The separate base is of quatrefoil shape – with a diaper decoration on the top surface, and lotus scrolls engraved on the faceted sides.
Similar example: Zhongguo meishu quanji; diaosu bian 6, Yuan Ming Qing diaosu, Beijing, 1988 – plate 157: from the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
|
