Seated Luohan Figure, Song dynasty (960-1279) - Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Gilt bronze. Left: 85 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Xike Jiulu Private Collection, 4.2023.a.

Seated Luohan Figure, Song dynasty (960-1279) - Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Gilt bronze. Right: 87.6 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Xike Jiulu Private Collection, 4.2023.b.

One figure has closed eyes, while the other has open eyes.

These large gilt-bronze figures are luohans, or arhats in Sanskrit, followers of the Buddha who have achieved enlightenment and have been freed from the cycles of rebirth. While both seated figures have the serene expressions and clean-shaven heads typical of monks, their robes are different. The Chinese-style monastic robe covers both shoulders of the arhat on the proper left, while the other arhat's robe leaves the right's shoulder and upper torso exposed, more typical of monks' attire in India.