Luohan at The Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario

myminifactory

This magnificent sculpture is one of six awe-inspiring luohans crafted between the 11th-13th century during the Song dynasty. A luohan, or arhat in Sanskrit, is a devout monk tirelessly striving to attain enlightenment through rigorous meditation and spiritual discipline. In traditional Chinese temples, luohans are typically displayed in groups of sixteen or eighteen, adding to their mystique and aura of serenity. The figures of this incomplete group possess strikingly unique postures and facial expressions that command attention and respect. Simple yet powerful, they serve as exemplary representations of Song dynasty sculpture's mastery of elegance and restraint. This incredible object is part of "Scan The World", a groundbreaking non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a comprehensive digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for everyone's free access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, inviting anyone with interesting items nearby to contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate in this extraordinary project.