Lot 1486. A painted and enameled biscuit figure of Asita, Republic period, seal of Zeng Longsheng (1901-1964). Height 15 1/2 in., 39.4 cm. Estimate: 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Sold Price: 35,000 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.
the monk modeled seated with the arms wrapped around the raised right leg, the white brows long and trailing down the chest, the expressive face with mouth agape showing the teeth and tongue, raised on a rockwork base, the base with an impressed rectangular cartouche seal reading Zeng Longsheng zao.
Note: Zeng Longsheng's series of eighteen luohan appear to be modeled after Guan Xiu's paintings from 891. Legend has it the paintings were created after Guan had a dream in which the luohan visited him and asked him to paint their portraits. The resulting images were taken from his visions. The paintings were treasured and preserved in a Zhejing monastery, and during the Qianlong reign were copied and propagated.