Item: Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder) - 16 Elders: Kalika

Kalika, Arhat. There is no name inscription on the front of the painting and no other examples of paintings known at this time from the same set. The general iconographic appearance seems follows that of the Arhat Kalika if the golden object in the hands are earrings or related to earrings. Arhats normally do not wear earrings. This is perhaps an anomaly or possibly a reinforcement of the correct identification as Kalika. It is not unusual to depict continuous narrative such as in image HAR #71979. Here, the golden crown, a gift of a crown to Rahula, is shown four times.

If the golden object in the hands is understood as a tiara or crown then the arhat would likely be Rahula. This however is problematic because Rahula, the Buddha's son, is typically depicted as being young in age and showing the beginnings of an ushnisha on the crown of the head - which also would have a full head of hair.

Jeff Watt 1-2012