The Eighteen Arhats or Luohan as they are called in China are considered as the original followers of the Buddha. They have reached the state of ‘Nirvana’, the perfect quietude and liberation from the repeating cycle of birth, life and death, and they are free of worldly cravings. The carving of this ‘Ganlan’ kernel, which depicts all eighteen Luohan, is of exceptional quality. Considering the hardness of the material it must have taken a lot of effort to carve all the small details which also include Rocks and a Pine Tree both symbolic for Longevity as well as Clouds which represent the Granting of all wishes. The object is not signed and dates from the latter half of the 20th century. Length 3.3 cm. Diameter 1.9 cm.