An Inscribed White Jade Boulder with a Seated Luohan Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

carved as an upright mountainous retreat arboured with gnarled tree trunks with a luohan, possibly Vanavasin, seated cross-legged in a meditative posture in a cave, dressed in loose robes with his shoes removed afront him, the adjacent mountain inscribed with an excerpt from a prose by Qianlong describing said luohan, the reverse with trees and plants emerging from the jagged crevices, the stone of a pale celadon tone mottled with russet patches, wood stand

The overall condition is quite good. The pine tree on the right of the reverse possibly has a chip to one stem hidden under the leaves. There is also expected wear to the gilt decoration of the inscription. The actual colour is very similar to that of the catalogue image.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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This jade mountain appears to illustrate Vanavasin, who, according to legend, was born during a heavy downpour and was thus named Vanavasin (meaning ‘rain’ in Sanskrit). He became enlightened after becoming a Buddhist monk and meditating under a plantain tree and is often depicted meditating in a cave with closed eyes and hands folded over his knees to portray his mind which is always at peace and unaffected by worries. Luohan, the disciples of the Buddha, are identified as having achieved the highest level of enlightenment; they are holy figures because they have awakened to selflessness, eradicating all passions and desires. The subject of the luohan carved within a craggy mountainscape represents a microcosm, depicting their common essence and interconnectedness through the luohan's characteristic weightiness which is emulated in the heavy monumental forms of the boulders.

For further examples of luohans carved with inscriptions in mountainous grottos, see two in the National Palace Museum, included in Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, National Palace Museum, 1997, cat. nos 39 and 43; one included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade. From the De An Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 33; two sold in these rooms, 27th April 2003, lot 33, and 25th April 2004, lot 98; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1st May 1995, lot 801.