A stone carving of a sleeping luohan - Song Dynasty

The figure carved seated with one knee raised on a pierced pedestal, with the head resting upon the hands placed one atop the other on the raised support, the face with eyes shut and a gentle expression, wearing long robes falling in folds over the pedestal carved with circular and ingot shaped motifs, the front of the pedestal incised with an inscription, traces of gold, red, blue, green and black pigments. 46.5cm (18¼in) high. Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000

Provenance: Bought in China in the late 1930s by the great uncle of the present owners. The original purchaser was subsequently interned by the Japanese in China and returned to Europe after 1945 with the present lot among many other objects, some of which were bought from the famous Hong Kong dealer Warren King.

A related white marble fragment of a statue depicting a meditating monk or luohan, dated to the late 12th century, is illustrated in O. Sirén, Chinese Sculptures in the von der Heydt Collection, Zurich, 1959, Catalogue no. 59.

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 12 May 2008. New Bond Street