Chinese Monastery Stamp or Seal Depicting a Lohan, Based

A chunky little block carved with a robed figure, seen in red hatching on a pale gold face.

This monastery stamp or seal depicting a lohan is from China, and dates to the early 20th century. It is soapstone. The soft, fine texture of soapstone lets a carver cut sharp detail, and a finished surface can be polished smooth to a gentle sheen. A thick, upright rectangular block with a seated robed figure incised on its front, the lines filled with brick red and the ground scored with vertical hatching. The top is worn and brownish. It sits on a slim black stand. It is 2 inches wide, 1.88 deep and 4.75 high.

Compact enough to carry, careful enough to keep.