Luohan dans une montagne en jade calcifié gris et brun sculpté Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

représentant Bhadra agenouillé les mains jointes priant abrité dans une grotte, les poignets ornés de bracelets, un brûle-parfum posé à ses côtés, une inscription poétique sur une pierre au-dessus du luohan, le revers entièrement sculpté de rochers ; accidents

A section of the rock to the bottom right, including part of the incense burner may have detached and been re-affixed with some later filling visible along the break line (showing on the burner and across the bottom edge of the robe of the luohan on the illustration in the catalogue). A few natural linear inclusions in the stone but otherwise the figure is in good condition. The actual color is a fraction more mottle-green than the illustration would suggest in the catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Although partly illegible, the inscription incised on the wallcliff above the luohan could tentatively read: 

"The Sixth [Luohan], The Worthy Bhadra. Students of the Way! This exemplar should move you to aspire to it. Answer when I ask you!  How is a mustard seed actually Mount Sumeru!  Here absolutely all alone he's propped up by a pine, seemingly senseless he sits on a stone.  How would he know anything about such intellectual play of language as this!"

Badaluo, Bhadra, was one of the sixteen arhats who vowed to stay in this world to ensure the transmission of the correct dharma,also named Baduoluo. This type of inscription is called Xilun: literally "frivolous discourse". Xilun is a term for the conceptual elaboration or metaphysical speculation, expressed in visual symbol or verbal metaphor, that underlies some great truth.  Here the truth is that the smallest thing (small as a mustard seed) can contain the whole universe (Mount Sumeru).  However, a double entendre may be involved too:  the enlightenment and wisdom of the great luohan Bhadra  (great as Mount Sumeru), which transcends all such intellectual play, is contained in every single person, even those with the smallest capacity or potential (small as the smallest mustard seed).