CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, DEBUT DU XIXEME SIECLE

Details

RARE GROUPE DE DIX-HUIT LUOHANS EN IVOIRE
CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, DEBUT DU XIXEME SIECLE
Les dix-huit arhats représentés debout, reposant sur des socles en bois sculpté de pétales et rehaussés d'une balustrade en os teinté vert, vêtus de longues robes souples, les crânes rasés, l'un d'entre eux portant une barbe, les visages individualisés et particulièrement expressifs, chacun tenant son attribut ; petits accidents et restaurations
Hauteur sans le socle: environ 25,5 cm. (10 in.), Hauteur avec le socle: environ 28 cm. (11 in.) (18)

Provenance

From an old Swiss collection

Special notice

" f " : In addition to the regular Buyer’s premium, a commission of 7% (i.e. 7.49% inclusive of VAT for books, 8.372% inclusive of VAT for the other lots) of the hammer price will be charged to the buyer. It will be refunded to the Buyer upon proof of export of the lot outside the European Union within the legal time limit.(Please refer to section VAT refunds)

Further details

A RARE GROUP OF EIGHTEEN IVORY LUOHANS
CHINA, QING DYNASTY, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Brought to you by

Mathilde Courteault

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Lot Essay

Eighteen is the usual number of Luohans, also known as Arhats, 'Destroyers of the passions', or 'Worthiness'. Luohans are Buddha's apostles, probably originated in Kashmir and were first mentioned as sixteen Arhats in the Mahayanavataraka, which was translated into Chinese in AD 437.
A full transcription of the sixteen names were given in AD 653 by the pilgrim Xuan Zang, leaving the last two to be explained. These additions were probably adopted by the end of the 10th Century, with the Arhats who tamed the Dragon and the Tiger. These two animals are symbolic of the East and West respectively. They could also be seen as the triumph of Buddhism over Daoism, as the dragon and tiger are Daoist symbols. The Eighteen Luohans have distinguishing symbols, badges or poses but there are considerable variations on the theme.

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