Buddhist Monk (Lohan) with Staff Meditating Near Mountain Stream
Artist
Chinese
Date18th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Mediumpale green nephrite
Dimensions16.8 cm (6 5/8 in.)
ClassificationsJades
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Harry W. Goddard, in memory of Harry W. Goddard
Terms
Object number1938.67
DescriptionFigure of a god seated near a waterfall in meditation. Stand.Label TextLohan (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 work shown here, during the revival of Buddhism in the late Ming and early Qing dynasty. Suggesting a nature setting, the carved wooden stand is embellished with pine, plum and bamboo (the “Three Friends of Winter”), and a small waterfall.ProvenanceMrs. Harry W. Goddard, Worcester MA
On View
On view
Chinese
late 18th–early 19th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
early 18th century, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
late 18th century, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
Qianlong period (1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
