A bronze Jain Shrine
A bronze Jain Shrine

INDIA, GUJARAT, DATED 1102 (SAMVAT 1159)

Details
A bronze Jain Shrine
India, Gujarat, dated 1102 (Samvat 1159)
Very finely cast in openwork with the principal image of a Tirthankara seated in dhyanasana on a throne supported by elephants and lions with a goddess at center and flanked by a yakshi and yaksha, framed by apsaras and with a tiered conical parasol above flanked by confronted elephants and riders, the outer border with numerous seated and standing Jinas in architectural niches, the stepped pedestal with diminuitive figures of devotees centering a bull, richly inlaid with copper and silver, inscribed and dated on the reverse
13¼ in. (33.8 cm.) high
Provenance
Private Collection, London, since 1970

Lot Essay

The yakshi at right can be identified as Ambika by the child she holds on her lap and the yaksha at left is Gomedha, who holds a spear and a lemon. They are borrowings from the Hindu iconic tradition and serve to hear the prayers of the devotees as the Jina is beyond worldly matters. The presence of these two figures identifies the Jina as Neminatha.

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