Edo period (1615-1868), a carved wood sculpture of Bodhidharma, with traces of gilt and red pigment, presented seated with his hands clasped together under his robe, his robe hangs elegantly in a waterfall style down the front of the seat, he wears his classic hooded robe that has some slightly raised decoration. his face is carved with a very serious expression emphasized by his wide eyes.

7 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.

From the Collection of Roy and Beverly Milton, Japan

Bodhidharma was the Indian monk credited with transmitting Zen Buddhism to China in the 400s or 500s. He is was worshipped widely as the patriarch of Zen. This sculpture would have originally been heavily decorated with red pigments and gilt highlights, now little of that remains from age and exposure. The size of the sculpture lends to it being from a personal home shrine, but of an elite family due to its previous lavish decoration.

Scattered losses to surface; traces of gilt to surface; traces of red pigment to back of figure; wear and loss to wooden base Bodhidharma sits upon.