CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, XVIIEME-XVIIIEME SIECLE

This figure is known as the hermit of the Snow Mountains. According to Buddhist literature, he earned this epithet by spending his previous life meditating in snow mountains. See a Ming lacquer figure also in this typical pose (which was first invented for the meditating Buddha), illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Ancient Chinese Lacquerware, Beijing 1987, p.90, fig.60 and p.198 ; compare also with a gilt bronze figure of Lohan illustrated in R-Y Lefebvre d'Argencé (ed.), Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture, The Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Kodansha International ltd., Tokyo, New York and San Francisco 1974, pp.340-341, pl.182