Twenty-Four Jina Image (Caubis-Jina-Pata)

Twenty-Four Jina Image (Caubis-Jina-Pata)

Jain Community, India

dated c.AD 1563

height: 27cm; length at base: 18.4cm

This bronze stela is relatively large in relation to others of its kind. It has all the characteristics of a fifteenth and sixteenth century Jain bronze.

The principal Jina is seated on a gaja-simhansa or elephant-lion throne. Together with the pair of standing jinas and two sitting jinas the central figure forms a ‘five jina image’ or a pancatirthi. But with the additional jinas which are arrayed around the pancatirthi in an arch, the overall stela is a ’24 Jina image’ or a caubis-jina-pata. Other figures are attendants and celestial nymphs, some of which are seated, others stand and some yield fly whisks.

The nine planets (navagraha) are represented on the plinth in two groups – one of five and the other of four.

Rising above the central Jina is a triple parasol from which a pendant border of strings of pearls is suspended, and on top of which sits a celestial drummer whose features have been worn smooth with puja wear. The ornamental arch with its beaded border is surmounted by a finial in the shape of a narrow necked vase – the kalasha, as well as to either side of the arch.

The small figure of Shantidevi is to be found at the centre of the base. Above Shantidevi’s head is a half cakra.

The platform from which the throne rises is cast with three letters of script and a pair of feet to signify the donor or the commissioner of this piece.

There is a lengthy description on the reverse in Devanagari script and a date Vikrama Samvat 162? (which corresponds with circa 1563 in the western calendar.)

Inventory no.: 552

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