
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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Sold for US$12,500 inc. premium
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International Director
As discussed by Lalit Kumar, the small lion nestled below the center of the throne identifies the shrine's principal subject as the Jain religion's founder, Mahavira, born in Northeastern India in 600 BCE. Supporting the outer edges of his throne, he is joined by the squatting yaksha Matanga and the popular protector goddess Ambika, with child.
The shrine contains a total of five jinas. The two standing either side of Mahavira wear lower garments indicating the bronze was made for followers of the Svetambara sect, unlike the very closely related Digambara example previously in the sale (lot 3071). Within Northern and Western India, the Svetembaras were predominately located in Gujarat and Western Rajasthan, pointing to this area of origin for the bronze, or at least its patron.
Exhibited
Steps to Liberation: 2,500 Years of Jain Art and Religion, Ethnographic Museum, Antwerp, 26 May - 15 October 2000.
Published
Jan van Alphen (ed.), Steps to Liberation: 2,500 Years of Jain Art and Religion, Antwerp, 2000, p.154, no.79.
Provenance
Marcel Nies Oriental Art, Antwerp, by 2000
Private Dutch Collection