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Image of Venerable Kanakabharadvaja from the Yuan Dynasty

This Yuan Dynasty bronze lacquered and gilded Arhat statue, in the Central Plains style, is robust in stature, exquisitely crafted, and lifelike, making it a model of Yuan Dynasty bronze sculpture.

Inheriting history

This statue is in excellent condition, with remnants of its original lacquer and gilding revealing its lustrous bronze patina. Its provenance and auction history are clear; it was first exhibited at the Beijing Zhonghan 2020 Autumn Auction (lot 307). This piece is an extremely rare and well-documented large-scale Yuan Dynasty Han-style gilt bronze Arhat statue, a true gem on the market.

Academic background and publications

This piece has a profound background in the Han Chinese Luohan (Arhat) faith of the Tang and Song dynasties, and the sculpture retains the realistic style of the Song dynasty. Academically and in the market, it can be compared to two top-tier auction records: one is a Song-Yuan dynasty Luohan statue that sold for 11.5 million yuan at Beijing Hanhai Auction in 2013; the other is lot 3233 at Christie's Hong Kong in 2016, which sold for the equivalent of 29.838 million yuan.

Authoritative verification

This item was authoritatively authenticated and auctioned by the professional auction house Beijing Zhonghan in its 2020 Autumn Auction. Furthermore, its artistic value and form are corroborated by high-priced sales records of similar Arhat statues at internationally authoritative auction houses such as Beijing Hanhai (2013 Autumn Auction) and Christie's Hong Kong (2016 Autumn Auction), thus possessing high credibility.

Close-up details | Yuan Dynasty lacquered and gilded bronze Arhat statue

Through high-quality, detailed photography, we can gain a deep understanding of the carving craftsmanship, the remaining lacquer and gold layer, and the unique compassionate countenance and robust physique of this Arhat statue.

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