Medium: Bronze
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:11th–12th century (image); 16th century (base and halo)
Dimensions: 24 1/2 × 18 1/2 × 7 7/8 in. (62.2 × 47 × 20 cm)
Collections:
Museum Location: Asian Galleries, Arts of South Asia, 2nd floor
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 34.752a-b
Image: 34.752_front_PS11.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Bronze image (murti) of the twenty-fourth Jina, Mahavira, standing on a low square pedestal. The figure and pedestal rest on a rectangular base (bhadrapitha), which supports a large, arched screen (torana) behind. The figure is completely nude, indicating that the ascetic is of the Digambara sect. He stands in the characteristic Jaina pose with the body erect (samabhanga) and arms pendant, but with the hands not touching the thighs. The hair is spirally curled and the earlobes pendant. The torana (markara torana) is a high arched screen back. The lower part is of the simple architectural throne back type with supporting columns on each side, terminating in figures of lions in full relief. The arch rests on 2 small figures: reliefs of elephants with markara heads. The arch itself is comprised of an incised double row of projecting flame tongues (jvala) and is surmounted by a large grotesque head called a kirtimukha. The niche within the arch directly behind the figure is plain, with an incised border of diamond-shaped motifs. The front of the base upon which the figure stands bears an incised figure of a lion, the cognizance (cihna, identifying emblem) of Mahavira. On the lower projection of the base there is an inscription in Kanada script in three rows. The brass has darkened. Sculpture comprised of two parts: figure and base