Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)

གནས་བརྟན། 罗汉
(item no. 90314)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1800 - 1899
Lineages Uncertain
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Robert and Lois Baylis
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Person

Interpretation / Description

Arhats: from the group of 16 Great Arhats the principal students of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

At the top, from the left, is Vanavasin with an upraised index finger and holding a flywhisk, Kalika holding a pair of earrings, Vajriputra with an upraised index finger and holding a flywhisk, Kanaka Bharadvaja with the hands in meditation, Bhadra performing the mudra of explication and finally Kanakavatsa holding a jewel lasso.

At the bottom center is the patron Hvashang. At the left side is the Guardian King Virudhaka holding a sword and to the right is Dhritarashtra with a lute.

The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set. The full group would include the Buddha Shakyamuni, the 16 arhats, the attendant Dharmatala, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions - Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka. (See painting #90312 from the same set).

Jeff Watt 4-2000

Related Items
Publications
Collection: Christie's, New York (Painting. March, 2019)

Thematic Sets
Arhat/Sthavira: Kalika Main Page
Arhat/Sthavira: Kanakabharadvaja Main Page
Arhat/Sthavira: Bhadra Main Page
Arhat/Sthavira: Vajriputra Main Page
Painting Set: Arhat Set XXI
Collection of Robert & Lois Baylis
Arhat/Sthavira: Kanakavatsa Main Page
Arhat/Sthavira: Vanavasin Main Page
Painting Set: Arhats: Multiple Main Figures