清中期 青金石羅漢山子|Seated luohan (arhat) in a grotto

Unknown

18th–19th century · Lapis lazuli · Asian Art

This superb sculpture of lapis lazuli depicts a Buddhist sage meditating in a rocky cave under a craggy tree. The master carver demonstrated his formidable skill by managing to turn the large light gray blotches of the stone into the gnarled tree trunk and the whitish spots into the highlights on the monk’s face.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–19th century

Medium

Lapis lazuli

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902