A GILT AND POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF AN ARHAT Tibet, 17th/18th century (wood stand)

A GILT AND POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF AN ARHAT Tibet, 17th/18th century Himalayan Art Resources item no. 1383. 8 3/4in (22.2cm) high (wood stand). Footnotes: Provenance: Acquired circa 1995, by repute This figure represents an arhat, one of several Great Elders who were believed to have directly studied under the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, and were tasked with preserving his teachings until the arrival of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. He holds his hands cupped in his lap in the meditation mudra. The posture is associated with three arhats including Ajita, Kanaka Bharadvaja, and Chudapantaka. Arhats were often conceived of in sets for which their identities were illustrated by specific implements or mudras which were associated with their life stories. Aside from those particular elements, their bodies and features are often abstracted and formalized, as depicted here. Other examples of wood arhats sold at Christie's, New York, 21 March 2007, lot 322 and at Bonhams, New York, 13 March 2017, lot 3028. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing