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Chinese Painted Stucco Head of a Luohan, Song Dynasty, 11th Century, China

About the Item

A remarkable Chinese life sized painted stucco head of a luohan, Song, Liao or Jin Dynasty, circa 11th century, China. The amazingly life-like figure depicts a luohan (sometime spelled lohan), also known as an arhat, one of the original disciples of the Buddha. The elderly man has been molded in stucco with inset glass eyes and painted with idealized, if slightly exaggerated features. The unidentified luohan sports a bald, or perhaps shaved, domed head above a bulging forehead, symbolizing his vast wisdom. The wrinkles in his furrowed brow, and creases around his eyes add to his realism. The learned man stares out wisely from deep set, heavily lidded inlaid glass eyes that catch the light. The luohan has high cheekbones and a prominent jawline. His lips full and pursed as if about to speak. The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly in a faint smile, causing his gaunt cheeks to dimple charismatically. A series of dots above the upper lip indicate he may originally have sported a mustache of real hair. This life sized head with extremely realistic features fits into a very narrow time frame of Chinese Buddhist art. Perhaps the most recognized group of large, finely molded Chinese luohan are the Yixian glazed pottery luohans, dated the late 10th or early 11th century, Liao or Jin Dynasty, several of which live in various museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Museum, and the Musee Guimet. Another small group exists in dry lacquer, mostly dated with examples in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Nelson Atkins Museum. Luohan, also known as arhats, were the first disciples of the Buddha. They are considered holy men, and are revered throughout the Buddhist world. The number of luohan ranges by tradition, and can be as few as eight, and as many as one hundred and eight. The generally agreed upon number is eighteen. Each luohan has a specific attribute, and is usually described as having a particular supernatural ability. Unfortunately without his attribute present, we cannot positively identify this particular luohan. Drilled and mounted on a custom stand. Measures: H 14.5" W 8" D 8.25".

Dimensions:

Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 8.25 in (20.96 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Glass,Stucco,Hand-Painted,Inlay,Molded

Place of Origin:

China

Period:

15th Century and Earlier

Date of Manufacture:

11th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Originally part of a life-sized sculpture. In overall very good condition for age. Minor flaking and cracking to the paint. Probably missing the mustache. Drilled for mounting.

Seller Location:

Austin, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU894718821742

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