Luohan sculpture; China, first third of the 20th century.

Luohan sculpture; China, first third of the twentieth century.
Patinated and partially gilded bronze.
Presents seal on the back.
Measurements: 71 x 28 x 20 cm.
This sculpture represents a Luohan, a revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism, made in patinated bronze with partial gilt applications. The work was produced in the first third of the 20th century, a time when strong echoes of classical Buddhist art persisted, reactivated in new forms by Western collecting, nostalgia for dynastic art and workshops still active in religious and ornamental production.
The Luohan, or arhat in Sanskrit, is represented here in a dynamic and expressive attitude, standing on a rocky base, alluding to the mountainous landscape where these enlightened figures were traditionally thought to dwell. At his feet, a dragon coils, symbol of power, wisdom and spiritual dominion over the elements. The presence of this creature is not fortuitous: it alludes to the Luohan's control over the forces of nature and the protective and miraculous character attributed to them.
The Luohan's body is in an almost dancing posture, with its hands raised in a fluid gesture reminiscent of the ritual positions of theater or ceremonial dance.