The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 14, 2025

Pair of Seated Lohan Figures

1100s–1300s

China, Song dynasty

(960-1279) - Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)
Gilt bronze
Left: 85 cm (33 7/16 in.); Right: 87.6 cm (34 1/2 in.)
Xike Jiulu Private Collection 4.2023
Location: 238 Chinese Ceramics

Did You Know?

One figure has closed eyes, while the other has open eyes.

Description

These large gilt-bronze figures are lohans, or arhats in Sanskrit, followers of the Buddha who have achieved enlightenment and have been freed from the cycles of rebirth. While both seated figures have the serene expressions and clean-shaven heads typical of monks, their robes are different. The Chinese-style monastic robe covers both shoulders of the arhat on the proper left, while the other arhat's robe leaves the right's shoulder and upper torso exposed, more typical of monks' attire in India.
  • September 29, 1992
    (Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 September 1992, lot 896)
    April 1, 1998
    (A & J Speelman Ltd. Oriental Art, London, England)
    An American private collection
    May 30, 2022
    (Christie's, Hong Kong, May 30, 2022 sale, lot 2891)
    May 30, 2022–
    Xike Jiulu Private Collection
  • {{cite web|title=Pair of Seated Lohan Figures|url=false|author=|year=1100s–1300s|access-date=14 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/4.2023