India, Rajasthan / Western India Terracotta Jain architectural fragment in sandstone representing a Tirthankara - 20 cm
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€ 234
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 4,300 - € 5,500
 | €234 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €1 |
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Terracotta Jain architectural fragment depicting a Tirthankara, from Rajasthan, India, dating to the 15th–16th century, with a height of 20 cm and width of 8.5 cm.
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Description from the seller
Rare architectural Jain fragment in sandstone representing a Tirthankara in meditation, Rajasthan, 15th–16th century.
Carved in deep relief in beige sandstone, this elegant fragment depicts a Jina or Tirthankara seated in meditation at the center of a true miniature architecture. The sacred figure, nude and unadorned, is shown with crossed legs, hands brought together in the lap in dhyānamudrā, in accordance with the ascetic ideal of Jain tradition.
The interest of this work lies as much in the central figure as in its remarkable architectural surround. Four cylindrical columns adorned with moldings rhythmically frame the composition and support an entablature with geometric decoration, itself surmounted by an elaborately carved pediment of scrolls and vegetal forms.
This contrast between the Jina’s sobriety and the richness of its architecture is one of the most appealing elements of the piece.
The reverse, largely left rough and flat, indicates that this sculpture was not conceived as an independent freestanding work, but as an element intended to be integrated into the architecture of a sanctuary, probably within a niche or a frieze.
No individual emblem sufficiently legible today allows determining which of the twenty-four Tirthankaras is represented; the general identification as Jina / Tirthankara, however, remains perfectly readable.
The work benefits from an old private Viennese provenance and documentation dating back to the 1990s, a particularly valuable feature for a medieval Indian sculpture of this category.
The fragment retains a very handsome presence despite wear and small ancient accidents inherent to its age and its architectural function. The central figure, the columns, and the pediment decoration remain remarkably cohesive and legible.
A truly characterful work, at once religious sculpture and a genuine Jain architectural fragment, mounted on an elegant modern plinth and accompanied by a certificate of study.
Dimensions excluding the plinth: 20.5 × 8.5 × 5 cm.
Dimensions with the plinth: 26 × 21 × 7 cm.
Weight: approx. 4.5 kg.
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 TranslateRare architectural Jain fragment in sandstone representing a Tirthankara in meditation, Rajasthan, 15th–16th century.
Carved in deep relief in beige sandstone, this elegant fragment depicts a Jina or Tirthankara seated in meditation at the center of a true miniature architecture. The sacred figure, nude and unadorned, is shown with crossed legs, hands brought together in the lap in dhyānamudrā, in accordance with the ascetic ideal of Jain tradition.
The interest of this work lies as much in the central figure as in its remarkable architectural surround. Four cylindrical columns adorned with moldings rhythmically frame the composition and support an entablature with geometric decoration, itself surmounted by an elaborately carved pediment of scrolls and vegetal forms.
This contrast between the Jina’s sobriety and the richness of its architecture is one of the most appealing elements of the piece.
The reverse, largely left rough and flat, indicates that this sculpture was not conceived as an independent freestanding work, but as an element intended to be integrated into the architecture of a sanctuary, probably within a niche or a frieze.
No individual emblem sufficiently legible today allows determining which of the twenty-four Tirthankaras is represented; the general identification as Jina / Tirthankara, however, remains perfectly readable.
The work benefits from an old private Viennese provenance and documentation dating back to the 1990s, a particularly valuable feature for a medieval Indian sculpture of this category.
The fragment retains a very handsome presence despite wear and small ancient accidents inherent to its age and its architectural function. The central figure, the columns, and the pediment decoration remain remarkably cohesive and legible.
A truly characterful work, at once religious sculpture and a genuine Jain architectural fragment, mounted on an elegant modern plinth and accompanied by a certificate of study.
Dimensions excluding the plinth: 20.5 × 8.5 × 5 cm.
Dimensions with the plinth: 26 × 21 × 7 cm.
Weight: approx. 4.5 kg.
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, Rajasthan / Western India
Century/timeframe
XVe–XVIe siècle
Name of object
Jain architectural fragment in sandstone representing a Tirthankara
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
1995
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
Austria
Condition
Plaque formerly fragmented and restored; in good condition considering its age.
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
20 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
2020
Width
8.5 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Europe
Depth
5 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.
