The emaciated figure is represented as an ascetic. His left wrist rests on his raised right knee, his left leg tucked behind his right ankle, a shawl partly over his ribs, his features are in samadhi (a state of meditative consciousness), and he has curly hair. The circular base is modelled as a rush mat. The figure represents Asita, the 15th Luohan at the moment when he ceased to be a Bodhisattva and become a Buddha. Asita resided on the Vulture Peak.

The Duberlys considered this piece one of the stars of their collection and Major Duberly wrote at length about the meaning of samadhi.

Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 114; P.J. Donelly, Blanc de Chine (New York, 1967), pp. 90 (figure e), 162

Exhibited: Oriental Ceramic Society, London, Ceramic Figures, 1947, no. 83

Provenance: Bequeathed as part of the Duberly Collection, 1978; purchased by Major Montagu and Lady Eileen Duberly from John Sparks, 21 May 1963 (£552); H.R.N.  Norton, Sotheby’s, 26 March 1963, lot 70

Location: Treasury, Gallery 2