India - Jain copper alloy, probably brass Great Jain votive altar to the Tirthankara – Western India - 29.5 cm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,700 - € 2,000
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Grand votive Jain altar at a Tirthankara from Western India, made of yellow copper alloy (likely brass), depicting a Jina seated in meditation with śrīvatsa, dating to the late 19th–early 20th century (c. 1880–1920); height 29.5 cm, width 19.5 cm, depth 11.2 cm, weight 3.684 kg, authentic/original and in very good condition.
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Description from the seller
Important Jain votive statue in a yellow copper alloy, probably brass, depicting a Tirthankara seated in meditation, Western India, probably Rajasthan or Gujarat, late 19th – early 20th century, around 1880–1920.
The central Jina is depicted seated in dhyānāsana, hands joined in dhyānamudrā. The torso distinctly bears the śrīvatsa, an auspicious sign characteristic of Jain iconography. No individual lanchhana sufficiently legible allows confidently identifying which of the twenty-four Tirthankaras is represented.
The figure sits at the center of an exceptionally rich architectural composition. It is sheltered under a substantial ceremonial dais and surrounded by a highly developed parikara, including numerous secondary figures, assistants, stylized animals and decorative motifs. Two elephants occupy the upper portion, while the whole is crowned by a large openwork arch surmounted by a kalasha. The base, organized like a miniature multi-tiered architecture, presents many cutouts, figures and incised motifs.
The piece stands out for its substantial size, its exceptional weight of 3.684 kg and the complexity of its casting. Despite numerous cutouts, the amount of metal remains considerable, giving the whole a particularly monumental presence. Examination of the reverse and bottom shows a largely perforated structure compatible with traditional lost-wax technique.
The surfaces display a beautiful yellow-gold to warm brown tone, with darker areas and a few traces of verdigris preserved in the hollows. Very good overall condition, with wear, small casting irregularities and traces of age compatible with the age and manufacturing technique.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection of R. M. (1933–2023), collector of Asian art. The piece is documented as having been acquired between 1979 and 2009, mainly from art dealers in Belgium and the Netherlands. Provenance letter signed by Marie-Anne Lefevre dated 20 April 2025.
Dimensions: 29.5 × 19.5 × 11.2 cm
Weight: 3.684 kg
A large-format Jain piece, particularly decorative and substantial, accompanied by documented European provenance.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/zusk5oqh1vh36m2ehaekg/AA2yeg5OR05ZJbN_OvSrEMo?rlkey=mdhf6j5ldzpcfzsibzpukofoi&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 TranslateImportant Jain votive statue in a yellow copper alloy, probably brass, depicting a Tirthankara seated in meditation, Western India, probably Rajasthan or Gujarat, late 19th – early 20th century, around 1880–1920.
The central Jina is depicted seated in dhyānāsana, hands joined in dhyānamudrā. The torso distinctly bears the śrīvatsa, an auspicious sign characteristic of Jain iconography. No individual lanchhana sufficiently legible allows confidently identifying which of the twenty-four Tirthankaras is represented.
The figure sits at the center of an exceptionally rich architectural composition. It is sheltered under a substantial ceremonial dais and surrounded by a highly developed parikara, including numerous secondary figures, assistants, stylized animals and decorative motifs. Two elephants occupy the upper portion, while the whole is crowned by a large openwork arch surmounted by a kalasha. The base, organized like a miniature multi-tiered architecture, presents many cutouts, figures and incised motifs.
The piece stands out for its substantial size, its exceptional weight of 3.684 kg and the complexity of its casting. Despite numerous cutouts, the amount of metal remains considerable, giving the whole a particularly monumental presence. Examination of the reverse and bottom shows a largely perforated structure compatible with traditional lost-wax technique.
The surfaces display a beautiful yellow-gold to warm brown tone, with darker areas and a few traces of verdigris preserved in the hollows. Very good overall condition, with wear, small casting irregularities and traces of age compatible with the age and manufacturing technique.
Provenance: former Belgian private collection of R. M. (1933–2023), collector of Asian art. The piece is documented as having been acquired between 1979 and 2009, mainly from art dealers in Belgium and the Netherlands. Provenance letter signed by Marie-Anne Lefevre dated 20 April 2025.
Dimensions: 29.5 × 19.5 × 11.2 cm
Weight: 3.684 kg
A large-format Jain piece, particularly decorative and substantial, accompanied by documented European provenance.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/zusk5oqh1vh36m2ehaekg/AA2yeg5OR05ZJbN_OvSrEMo?rlkey=mdhf6j5ldzpcfzsibzpukofoi&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 TranslateDetails
Culture
India - Jain
Century/timeframe
fin XIXe – début XXe siècle vers 1880–1920
Name of object
Great Jain votive altar to the Tirthankara – Western India
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
copper alloy, probably brass
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
29.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1979
Width
19.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
Depth
11.2 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.
