An instant collection that can be uniquely yours.

From western China and collected some 20 years ago, comes this group of five (5) large hand-carved red sandstone Lohans or Monks dating in the 19th century. These characters feature fantastic and exaggerated eyes, ears, eye brows and cranials.

Each measures approximately 15 inches high and each is accompanied by a custom black hardwood base.

Good garden candidates!

About Luohans (lohans or Monks)

Luohans are Buddhist figures, in sanskrit known as Arhat or “destroyer of enemy” (desires) or deserving or worthy” . A luohan supposedly has passed through all the stages of enlightenment, the eight fold path and has conquered all the desires that enmesh a person in a continuous cycle of birth and death. They are regarded as saints reaching nirvana and are attributed with supernatural powers. Ananda is considered one of the principal disciples of the Buddha. He was a first cousin of the Buddha and was deeply attached to him. His counterpart, Kassapa, when hearing of Ánanda’s attainment of arahantship, led the applause. Ánanda held him in the highest veneration.

The Song (Sung) Dynasty helped to reunify China after the fall of T’ang and developed the Lohans role. The Song Dynasty is noted for a revival of ancient Confucian beliefs. The enlightened rulers urged construction of Buddhist temples with rows of eighteen or sixteen lohans a difference due to Buddhist texts. Lohan, derived from sanskrit Arhan, is a disciple of Buddha who is enlightened. Lohans became popular since the T’ang Dynasty. By the time of the Song Dynasty, artists depicted each Lohan with different facial features.

Available: an attribution and authentication report from Dr. Qing Chang, Buddhist Sculpture Specialist.

Formerly exhibited Asia Week New York City,Fuller Building, Hutton Gallery, 2006.

History: Discovered in the vicinity of Chengdu, Sichuan Province.One of a rare and finely sculpted complete set of 18 Chinese Lohan head sculptures….these were found buried deep in the ground undoubtedly victims of a temple demise. Each of these animated works of art is distinct in facial expression and pose. Although started in the Tang Dynasty, it was later in the Song Dynasty that 18 figures usually constituted a complete set. However, 16 and 18 figure sets were both used until the end of the Imperial period. More photographs are available upon request of the remaining seventeen sculptures.  A generous discount is available for acquisition of this rare, complete set.