India - Jain Yellow bronze, a copper alloy probably rich in zinc. Portable Jain altar in copper alloy representing a Tīrthaṅkara – Western India - 17.5 cm

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Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 600 - € 900
FR
€1

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Portable Jain altar in a yellow brass alloy representing a Tīrthaṅkara from western India, dating circa 1825–1875, seated in meditation on an architecturally carved throne with dhyāna mudrā and a śrīvatsa on the chest, with patina and signs of devotional use, height 17.5 cm, width 11.2 cm, depth 5.3 cm, acquired in 2025 from Belgium from a private collection, authenticity Original/officiel.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Portable Jain altar in copper alloy, Western India, circa 1825–1875.

Fine devotional altar depicting a Tīrthaṅkara seated in meditation, hands in dhyāna mudrā and bearing the śrīvatsa on the chest. The deity is seated on an architected throne supported by two lions and surrounded by secondary figures, beneath a richly decorated openwork arch. In the upper part, notably an elephant belonging to the celestial register of the decoration remains; its symmetrical counterpart today appears as a lacuna.

The reverse features an important inscription engraved in Nāgarī script / Devanāgarī type, spread over several registers. This inscription remains only partially legible and is therefore not used as a dating element. The individual identification of the Tīrthaṅkara cannot be established with certainty either, as the distinctive lāñchhana is not sufficiently legible.

The piece is made of yellow copper alloy, probably brass, using a traditional casting technique, with openwork and refinishing touches. It presents an old patina, traces of devotional use, natural wear of the reliefs, as well as some gaps and alterations in the most exposed parts, visible in the photographs.

Provenance: former R. M. collection (1933–2023), Belgium. According to the provenance letter kept with the work, the piece is said to have been acquired by the collector between 1979 and 2009, mainly from art dealers in Belgium and the Netherlands, then transferred to Olivier Maréchal / Mimosa SA between 2010 and 2020.

video link : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ylejkgg4835i4lgdplzso/AMgS_WDWJcecDRVfvRK2Ctk?rlkey=dyukf0z0007s33umqutc1slxg&dl=0

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 Translate

Portable Jain altar in copper alloy, Western India, circa 1825–1875.

Fine devotional altar depicting a Tīrthaṅkara seated in meditation, hands in dhyāna mudrā and bearing the śrīvatsa on the chest. The deity is seated on an architected throne supported by two lions and surrounded by secondary figures, beneath a richly decorated openwork arch. In the upper part, notably an elephant belonging to the celestial register of the decoration remains; its symmetrical counterpart today appears as a lacuna.

The reverse features an important inscription engraved in Nāgarī script / Devanāgarī type, spread over several registers. This inscription remains only partially legible and is therefore not used as a dating element. The individual identification of the Tīrthaṅkara cannot be established with certainty either, as the distinctive lāñchhana is not sufficiently legible.

The piece is made of yellow copper alloy, probably brass, using a traditional casting technique, with openwork and refinishing touches. It presents an old patina, traces of devotional use, natural wear of the reliefs, as well as some gaps and alterations in the most exposed parts, visible in the photographs.

Provenance: former R. M. collection (1933–2023), Belgium. According to the provenance letter kept with the work, the piece is said to have been acquired by the collector between 1979 and 2009, mainly from art dealers in Belgium and the Netherlands, then transferred to Olivier Maréchal / Mimosa SA between 2010 and 2020.

video link : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ylejkgg4835i4lgdplzso/AMgS_WDWJcecDRVfvRK2Ctk?rlkey=dyukf0z0007s33umqutc1slxg&dl=0

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 Translate

Details

Culture
India - Jain
Century/timeframe
XIXe siècle, vers 1825-1875
Name of object
Portable Jain altar in copper alloy representing a Tīrthaṅkara – Western India
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Yellow bronze, a copper alloy probably rich in zinc.
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
17.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
11.2 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
5.3 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
BelgiumVerified
505
Objects sold
pro

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.

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