North or Central Indian / Tirthankara / 9th-10th century

North or Central Indian
Tirthankara
9th-10th century
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Creator Nationality: Asian; Indian Sub-Continent; Indian
Creator Name-CRT: North or Central Indian
Title: Tirthankara
View: Full View
Creation Start Date: 800
Creation End Date: 999
Creation Date: 9th-10th century
Creation Place: India
Object Type: Sculpture
Classification Term: Bronzes
Materials and Techniques: Copper alloy
Dimensions: H. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
AMICA Contributor: Asia Society
Owner Location: New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 1979.012
Credit Line: Asia Society: The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection
Rights: http://www.asiasociety.org
Style or Period: North or Central Indian
Context: Tirthankaras are savior-saints in Jainism, a South Asian religion founded at about the same time as Buddhism by Vardhamana Mahavira (c. 540-468 BCE). Practiced today primarily in western and northern India, Jainism stresses nonviolence toward all living things and the practice of austerities. The term Jainism is derived from jina, the name given to twenty-four principal adepts and teachers of the religion. These figures, also known as tirthankaras, or 'river-forders,' are the principal focus of Jain art, and identified in the visual arts by a mark on the chest. Generally, the Digambaras, or 'sky-clad ones' (a sect of Jainism), were patrons of nude Jain figures, such as this early and important example of metal sculpture from north-central India. The posture of this seated tirthankara, in which each foot is placed on the opposite thigh--the lotus posture (padmasana)--is a meditative pose also used in Buddhism. The hand gesture (dhyanamudra) symbolizes meditation as well, and both indicate the tirthankara's advanced spiritual development. The lack of motion or activity in this figure embodies the Jain emphasis on living carefully and inflicting no harm.
Related Document Description: Asia Society. Handbook of the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection. New York: Asia Society, [1981], p. 11.
Related Document Description: Lee, Sherman E. Asian Art: Selections from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd--Part II. New York: Asia Society, 1975, pp. 16, 21.
Related Document Description: Queens Museum. Aspects of Indian Art and Life. New York: Queens County Art and Cultural Center, 1983, pp. 21, 23.
AMICA ID: ASIA.1979.012
AMICA Library Year: 1998
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright, Asia Society

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