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East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to 20th century CE. A dramatic brass figure of Arhat Damo or Bodhidarma shown with an evocative countenance of bulging eyes beneath caterpillar-esque brows and a down-turned mouth flanked by prominent cheekbones as a slender beard comprised of petite coils lines the edge of his square jaw and sharp chin. Seated with one leg propped up and both hands on his knee, the deity is draped in a long robe that opens at the chest, exposing his ribcage. Chief patriarch of the Buddhist religion, Bodhidarma’s basic doctrine was that perfection must be achieved through inward meditations of the heart rather than in outward deeds and observances. According to legend, he traveled from India to China in the sixth century and founded the Chan sect of Buddhism. The curly beard shown in this example is a reference to his Indian origins. Size: 8.75″ L x 10.5″ W x 18″ H (22.2 cm x 26.7 cm x 45.7 cm)
Condition: Some areas of chipping to pigment, but otherwise intact with a nice presentation. Rich patina throughout.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-New York City, New York, USA collection
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