Buddist Monk Petting a Young Lion-Dog
Artist
Chinese
DateQing Dynasty
Mediumagate
Dimensions17 × 14 × 6.8 cm (6 11/16 × 5 1/2 × 2 11/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard
Terms
Object number1938.20
DescriptionSeated figure with Fu-dog.Label TextBuddhist Monk Petting a Young Lion-Dog Agate; Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), 19th century Bequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard, 1938.20 Lohan (Sanskrit: arhat) are Buddha's enlightened disciples who remained on earth to protect and promote Buddhism. In China the original sixteen lohan were expanded to eighteen and later to five hundred. Chinese interest in lohan originated with a 7th century text-translation by the monk-pilgrim Xuanzang (ca. 596-664). Pictorial archetypes of the lohan derive from 9th century paintings by the monk Guanxiu (832-912). From the 11th century onward the figures were usually depicted living in remote mountain settings. Early lohan paintings were popularized though woodblock-printed reproductions. These, in turn, inspired the making of sculptures, such as the works shown here, during the revival of Buddhism in the late Ming and early Qing dynasty.
On View
Not on view
Chinese
18th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
