A Chinese Carved Wooden Sculpture of Bodhidharma

Qing dynasty (1644-1912), late 18th or early 19th century, this life-size sculpture of Bodhidharma is depicted standing with a slight curvature to his stance, his body is lacquered a deep red, his eyes are large and slightly open, his bushy mustache, beard, and eyebrows reference his Indian roots, one hand is relaxed by his side while he holds the other hand to his chest cradling a spherical object, his long layered robes are painted black and elegantly draped and decorated with arch patterns in gilt, he stands barefoot on a raised articulated pedestal resembling a tree stump.
71 1/2 in.
Bodhidharma serves as an important Buddhist figure having brought Chan Buddhism to China from India. He is featured in art throughout East Asia representing various important moments of his life. This statue seems to show him while on his journey crossing the Yangzi River on a reed. His robes sway with the wind and his face is serious and mindful. This event has often been depicted in painting, but rarely in sculptural form.
Being Sold to Benefit The Georgia Museum of Art's Collections
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Some flaking and loss in areas to surface lacquer especially on the shoulders and to the back of the right arm; some stable cracking; some dirt and dust to surface.