The people of Fujian are known to be skilled craftsmen who excelled in woodcarving. This is seen in the careful delineation of the facial hair and intense expression of this luohan figure, carved from longyan wood. As living saints who uphold Buddha’s teachings, luohan or arahat are a source of spiritual inspiration for the laity. The luohan was a popular decorative subject during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The vast majority of furniture and small objects made of longyan wood come from Fujian, China. The predominant use of longyan wood can be traced to the geography and history of the province. The beautiful grain of longyan wood, which resembles the pelt of a tiger, also contributed to its popularity.
