Chinese Seated Figure of a Lohan or Enlightened One

Scholar on a small elephant reads his scroll and ignores the ride entirely.

This seated porcelain figure of a lohan or enlightened one is from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China, and is contemporary. Lohan are often shown in relaxed, expressive poses with distinct faces and robes, which sets them apart from the calmer and more formal images of the Buddha. Robed bearded figure sits sideways on a standing elephant with a curled trunk, holding an unrolled scroll. A dark pinhole shows in the elephant's side. The glaze is creamy and glossy, pooling slightly in the folds. It is 5.25 inches wide, 3 deep and 6.5 high.

Eyes on the page, elephant on autopilot.