A LACQUERED WOOD PORTRAIT SCULPTURE OF A SEATED MONK

China
Ming dynasty
17th century

This remarkable portrait figure depicts a monk seated in the lotus position. His hands relax in his lap, with the tips of the thumbs and the fingers touching each other in Dhyana mudra, the gesture of absolute balance in meditation.

The figure is dressed in typical monk’s robes that are lacquered a dark brown; these are partly held up at his left shoulder by a ring. The robes cover his body and cross over at the front, leaving his chest and hands exposed. He faces forward, intently, with eyes open and wrinkles to each side of them; his head is bald - the nose strong and lips full. The sculpture is very much the portrait of a real person in intense meditation.

Height: 26½" / 67.5 cm

Similar example: ‘Chinese Sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum’, by Alan Priest - plate CXXVIII. This figure of Guan Yin is dated 1624.