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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Subduer of Tigers

Figure of Luohan
1880 - 1919 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Unlike other kilns where potters largely remained anonymous, some Dehua potters signed their works by impressing seal marks bearing their name or title into the clay. These marks can be found on religious figurines of exceptional quality, which are considered the best examples of blanc de chine. Some potters used pseudonyms, making it a challenge to reveal their identities. Evidence suggests several prominent potter families operated in Dehua throughout different periods. Some are still active today.

This figure is made by Su Xuejin (1869–1919), a famous potter from Dehua active in the late 19th century to early 20th century. It depicts the fuhu luohan, Subduer of Tigers or the Taming Tiger luohan. Arhats (Luohan in Chinese) are followers of Gautama Buddha and protectors of the Buddhist faith. In Chinese art, they are represented with foreign features such as curly beard, large nose and severe expression. Su Xuejin was founder of the Yunyu cizhuang, a porcelain studio focus on making regilious figurines following the style of Ming dynasty master potters.

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Discover more about this object
read Blanc de Chine – white porcelain from China 'Blanc de Chine, a Continuous Conversation', a display of contemporary and historic white porcelains made in Dehua, is open in our Ceramics (Room 146) and China (Room 44) galleries until 10 May 2020.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSubduer of Tigers (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Porcelain with white glaze
Brief description
Figure of Luohan (Subduer of Tigers), porcelain with white glaze, Dehua, China, by Su Xuejin, late 19th century to early 20th century. Inscribed with bo ji yu ren at the back.
Physical description
Porcelain figure of a luohan (arhat) seated with legs crossed and right know slightly raised, his head turned towards the right with busky eye-brows, moustache, small beard and low-side whiskers, wearing a full-length long-sleeved robe. His right arm reaching toward a tiger to his left with front paws crossed and a curly tail.
Dimensions
  • Height: 16.5cm
From Register
Styles
Gallery label
  • Figure of Luohan Late 19th to early 20th century Su Xuejin (1869–1919) Porcelain with clear glaze Dehua, China Sir Hugh Watson Bequest Museum no. C.49-1953 (2019)
  • Figure of Damo Porcelain with clear glaze Dehua, China Sir Hugh Watson Bequest Museum no. C.49-1953 Damo is an Indian Buddhist monk who travelled from India to south China around AD 520 and settled in the Shaolin monastery. He is often depicted with a curly beard, large nose and severe expression. (2009)
  • A Lohan CHINESE (Te-hua, Fukien); late 17th century. Bequeathed by Sir Jugh Watson C. 49-1953(pre 2005)
Credit line
Sir Hugh Watson Bequest
Subjects depicted
Summary
Unlike other kilns where potters largely remained anonymous, some Dehua potters signed their works by impressing seal marks bearing their name or title into the clay. These marks can be found on religious figurines of exceptional quality, which are considered the best examples of blanc de chine. Some potters used pseudonyms, making it a challenge to reveal their identities. Evidence suggests several prominent potter families operated in Dehua throughout different periods. Some are still active today.

This figure is made by Su Xuejin (1869–1919), a famous potter from Dehua active in the late 19th century to early 20th century. It depicts the fuhu luohan, Subduer of Tigers or the Taming Tiger luohan. Arhats (Luohan in Chinese) are followers of Gautama Buddha and protectors of the Buddhist faith. In Chinese art, they are represented with foreign features such as curly beard, large nose and severe expression. Su Xuejin was founder of the Yunyu cizhuang, a porcelain studio focus on making regilious figurines following the style of Ming dynasty master potters.
Other number
S832 - Negative number
Collection
Accession number
C.49-1953

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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