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Lot Essay
Hvashang was the Chinese patron to the Sixteen Great Arhats. He is only depicted in compositions with these figures and the Buddha, either in a single painting containing all twenty-three figures, or in sets of paintings, from which the present work likely comes. He is often depicted as a portly figure, with bald head and a dark complexion. He usually holds a mala, a garland of prayer beads, and a bowl of offerings, and is surrounded by numerous small children.