Iron Luohan at The Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario

myminifactory

This is a depiction of a luohan crafted from cast iron, believed to have originated during 1504 in the Ming dynasty. Chinese sculptors enjoyed significant freedom when portraying Luohans (holy monks), unlike their depictions of buddhas or bodhisattvas, which adhered more closely to conventions. Sculptors delighted in giving each luohan a unique expression, sometimes even bordering on caricature. Cast iron sculptures were relatively rare in the West until the 19th century but had been common in China since the eighth century. The iron object was often adorned with a layer of gold lacquer for added embellishment. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.