A pair of Chinese grisaille and gilt 'Luohan and tiger' plates, Qianlong

Dia.: 23 cm

Luohans, or arhats, are disciples of the Buddha and guardians of Buddhist law. They are enlightened beings, no longer bounded by the cycle of reincarnation. Since the Northern Song dynasty, certain luohans began to be portrayed with a tamed tiger, possibly as a token of their supernatural powers.