Album of spinach green jade leaves ‘Arhat’, Qing dynasty

Composed of four finely crafted rectangular plates in intensely coloured green jade, polished and uniform. Each of the plates features, on one side, calligraphic inscriptions incised and highlighted in gold, with passages of a literary and religious nature; on the opposite side, scenes engraved in the same gold style, depicting different luohan or arhats in contemplative or didactic poses, accompanied in some cases by disciples, fantastical figures or natural elements such as trees and rock formations.

In addition to their decorative function, these albums had a marked symbolic character, as arhats are considered guardians of Buddhist teaching and models of spiritual virtue.

Individual size: 11.9 × 0.9 × 8.4 cm

Unit weight: 298.5 g (approx.); Total weight: 1184 g (approx.)