India - Jain Yellow bronze, a copper alloy probably rich in zinc. Jain votive altar of the Pancha-tirthika representing Chandraprabha, the eighth Tirthankara. - 16.5 cm
19
days
00
hours
02
minutes
35
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 700 - € 1,000
 | €1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 142120 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Jain votive altar Pāñcatīrthika representing Chandraprabha, in yellow bronze alloy (likely zinc-rich), dating to the late 19th century, in very good plus condition, measuring 16.5 cm high, 10.5 cm wide and 6 cm deep, with provenance from Belgium private collection and acquired in 2025 from the previous Belgian owner.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Autel votif jaïn Pāñcatīrthika representing Chandraprabha, the eighth Tīrthaṅkara
Western India, probably Gujarat or Rajasthan
Second half of the 19th century, around 1850-1900
Important Jaïn votive altar in yellow copper alloy, probably yellow bronze, depicting Chandraprabha, the eighth Tīrthaṅkara of Jainism.
The central figure is shown seated in meditation on a throne with lions, hands gathered in the lap. The crescent moon symbol placed at the center of the substructure constitutes the lāñchana, or distinctive emblem, traditionally associated with Chandraprabha.
The main Tīrthaṅkara is surrounded by four secondary figures standing in kāyotsarga posture, allowing the composition to be linked to the so‑called Pāñcatīrthika type, gathering five Jina representations. The whole is integrated into a miniature sacred architecture featuring a dais, elephants, auxiliary figures, animal motifs and a heavily perforated substructure.
The reverse is entirely covered by a long votive inscription hand-engraved in Nāgarī Jain script. It likely reproduces an ancient form and may include a date in the Vikrama Samvat era as well as a reference to the Tapa Gaccha. This inscription appears to reproduce or adapt a medieval model and should not be considered the material dating of the casting.
The piece shows dense, robust artisanal casting, characteristic of late devotional productions in western India. The yellow metal appears naturally polished on the protruding parts, while a beautiful dark brown to black patina has remained in the recesses, the openings and the inscriptions. This contrast particularly highlights the central figure, the throne and the sanctuary architecture.
Wear of the reliefs is compatible with long devotional use and repeated ritual handling. Some casting irregularities and ancient wear are visible, without compromising stability or the overall readability of the composition. No major accident or recent restoration has been observed.
Provenance
Former collection of Mr. R. Mertens, Belgium.
The piece was already in his collection before 1991.
Acquired directly from Mr. Mertens by Olivier Maréchal / Mimosa SA between 2010 and 2020.”}{}{}{}
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateAutel votif jaïn Pāñcatīrthika representing Chandraprabha, the eighth Tīrthaṅkara
Western India, probably Gujarat or Rajasthan
Second half of the 19th century, around 1850-1900
Important Jaïn votive altar in yellow copper alloy, probably yellow bronze, depicting Chandraprabha, the eighth Tīrthaṅkara of Jainism.
The central figure is shown seated in meditation on a throne with lions, hands gathered in the lap. The crescent moon symbol placed at the center of the substructure constitutes the lāñchana, or distinctive emblem, traditionally associated with Chandraprabha.
The main Tīrthaṅkara is surrounded by four secondary figures standing in kāyotsarga posture, allowing the composition to be linked to the so‑called Pāñcatīrthika type, gathering five Jina representations. The whole is integrated into a miniature sacred architecture featuring a dais, elephants, auxiliary figures, animal motifs and a heavily perforated substructure.
The reverse is entirely covered by a long votive inscription hand-engraved in Nāgarī Jain script. It likely reproduces an ancient form and may include a date in the Vikrama Samvat era as well as a reference to the Tapa Gaccha. This inscription appears to reproduce or adapt a medieval model and should not be considered the material dating of the casting.
The piece shows dense, robust artisanal casting, characteristic of late devotional productions in western India. The yellow metal appears naturally polished on the protruding parts, while a beautiful dark brown to black patina has remained in the recesses, the openings and the inscriptions. This contrast particularly highlights the central figure, the throne and the sanctuary architecture.
Wear of the reliefs is compatible with long devotional use and repeated ritual handling. Some casting irregularities and ancient wear are visible, without compromising stability or the overall readability of the composition. No major accident or recent restoration has been observed.
Provenance
Former collection of Mr. R. Mertens, Belgium.
The piece was already in his collection before 1991.
Acquired directly from Mr. Mertens by Olivier Maréchal / Mimosa SA between 2010 and 2020.”}{}{}{}
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
India - Jain
Century/timeframe
Seconde moitié du XIXe siècle, vers 1850-1900
Name of object
Jain votive altar of the Pancha-tirthika representing Chandraprabha, the eighth Tirthankara.
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Yellow bronze, a copper alloy probably rich in zinc.
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good +
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
16.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
10.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
6 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
