A rare carved black limestone head of a luohanTang DynastyThe smooth shaved head carved with meditative downcast eyes beneath gently arched brows, the full-lips curled in a gentle smile beneath a pointed nose, all flanked by long pendulous earlobes, stand. 19.5cm (7 5/8in) high. (2).注脚唐 石雕羅漢頭像Provenance: Jacques Barrere, Paris, 19 September 2002John J. Studzinski, CBE 來源：法國巴黎古董商，Jacques Barrere，2002年9月19日大英帝國司令勳章受勳者John J. Studzinski珍藏It is possible that the present figure is a representation of Buddha's disciple Ananda, who (together with Kasyapa) is often portrayed flanking Buddha. The Tang dynasty emperors adhered to all three major beliefs – Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism - to secure popular support for their dynasty and in so doing reinforced the close association of sculpture and state; see A.Paludan, Chinese Sculpture: A Great Tradition, Chicago, 2006, p.270. The present head of a luohan belongs to the Buddhist category and closely resembles sculptures of disciples flanking Buddha in the Qianfodong (Cave of a Thousand Buddhas) dated to the early Tang period; see also those in the Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, Henan Province, illustrated by A.Paludan, Ibid., p.293, fig.178; and other examples in Cyugoku Sekkutsu: Ryumon Sekkutsu, vol.2, Heibonsha series, 1988, pls.55 and 64.