Rare Matched Pair of Ming Dynasty Wood Lohan Figures

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Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa F...

By Artemis Fine Arts

Aug 22, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-08-22 10:00:00 2025-08-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com

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• Lot Description
  East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. A pair of large wood carvings depicting Lohans- venerated disciples of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni - offering a visual contrast between age and youthful serenity. This is a true matching pair, carved to the same scale and adorned with nearly identical robes, produced as part of the same temple ensemble. One figure portrays an elder monk with deeply incised wrinkles, sharp facial features, and a contemplative expression. The other is more youthful and idealized, with a smooth, unlined face, closed eyes, and full cheeks that radiate peaceful composure. Both are seated in similar postures, one hand resting on the knee, draped in flowing robes fastened at the shoulder, with remnants of red, green, yellow, and black pigments still visible. On the reverse of each figure is a large ritual cavity, a consecration hollow traditionally used to house sacred relics, sutras, or votive objects that ritually empowered the sculpture as a living embodiment of spiritual force. Size: 14" W x 42" H (35.6 cm x 106.7 cm)
  
  The expressive contrast between the elder and younger faces suggests the pair may represent specific lohans within the standard pantheon, embodying the spectrum of human experience on the path to enlightenment. Their substantial scale and refined craftsmanship indicate they once held prominent positions in a larger devotional setting, serving not only to inspire reverence but to materialize key Buddhist virtues - discipline, compassion, and awakened presence. Their preservation as a matched pair is exceptionally rare and offers valuable insight into narrative, hierarchy, and personality in Ming dynasty Buddhist sculpture. Lohans - enlightened disciples of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni - were believed to have achieved Nirvana through guidance rather than self-realization, and yet chose to remain in the earthly realm to safeguard the teachings until the arrival of Maitreya, the future Buddha. In Chinese tradition, temple halls often featured sets of sixteen or eighteen lohans flanking the central Buddha, each depicted with individualized features.
  
  Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 - 2005
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
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  #193612

  Condition

  Weathering as expected with age and exposure, but both are excellent. Losses to pigments as shown, but good remains to both. Please note there are low levels of mercury and lead in the pigments, handle with care. Stable pressure cracks and fissures throughout. Old inactive insect activity with bore holes and some losses to surface layers. Both are very stable and substantial statues.
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