Chinese Standing Figure of a Lohan or Enlightened One

One knee raised, a small offering held out, and a very composed beard.

This porcelain standing figure of a lohan, or enlightened one is from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China, and is contemporary. In Chinese Buddhism lohan, from the Sanskrit arhat, are disciples who reached enlightenment, and groups of eighteen are a common subject in art. Bearded figure in white glaze with heavy brows and a lined forehead, balancing on one raised leg beneath layered robes. Both hands present a tiny object at chest height. The glaze pools softly in the deep folds. It is 2.5 inches wide, 3 deep and 6.5 high.

Balanced, patient, and holding a pose most of us could not.