Figure of a luohan
Medium:Cast iron
Geography: China
Date: c. 1504
Period: Ming Dynasty
Dimensions:87 x 45 x 37 cm
Object number: 921.1.63
Credit Line: The George Crofts Collection
Gallery Location:Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture
DescriptionIn portraying luohans (holy monks), Chinese sculptors enjoyed a certain freedom of expression. Conventions were not as strict as for the depiction of Buddhas or bodhisattvas. Sculptors took delight in giving each luohan an individual expression, at times even approaching caricature.
Cast iron sculpture – very rare in the West before the 19th century – was common in China from the 8th century onwards. The iron object was often embellished with a layer of gold lacquer.
