Lot 983. An enameled and biscuit figure of Luohan, Seal of Zeng Longsheng, Republic period (1912-1949); 15½ in. (39.4 cm.) high. Estimate $10,000 - USD 15,000. Price realised USD 62,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The smiling, bald figure is shown seated on an outcropping of rock gesturing towards a young boy emerging from a sack below. He wears layered robes enameled in brown, cream, green and iron red, while his head, hands, and chest, and the child are in painted biscuit. A maker's mark, Zeng Longsheng, is stamped on the base.

Note: Zeng Longsheng (1901-1964) was a celebrated potter at the Jingdezhen kilns who specialized in figural sculptures. A complete set of the Eighteen Luohan by Zeng Longsheng, including a figure very similar to the present example, can be found in the collection of the University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong. The set was donated to the museum by Sir Kenneth Ping-fan Fung.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza