China
Head of a Luohan
Northern Song, Liao or Jin dynasty, c. 11th 
century
Hollow dry lacquer
ht.: 28.6 cm
Gift of The Orientals, 1928.259

Figures of luohans—Buddhist disciples who had attained enlightenment—appeared in Chinese art as early as the seventh century. The face of this young luohan is compelling; he seems about to speak, and the colored beads used to represent his eyes add to the intensity of his expression. This head was made by pressing layers of cloth soaked in lacquer over a supporting core. When the form was approximately the shape of the intended sculpture, a soft lacquer-based coating was added, out of which this lifelike face was modeled.