Jaina Art and Architecture Vol 03

SR No.: 011014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A Ghosh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 403
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 301

ART-OBJECTS IN MUSEUMS
[PART X
JODHPUR MUSEUM
A very fine specimen of Jivantasvamin image (plate 357A), datable to tenth-eleventh century, is on display in the Jodhpur Museum. It comes from Khimvsar, Nagaur District. The sculpture is well-preserved and the execution is superb. The museum has also a twelfth-century image of Jaina Mahisamardini. The white-marble image of the Devi is mentioned as that of Saccika in the inscription (Vikrama year 1237) on its pedestal, which also records that it was installed by the chief of the Jaina nuns. It is interesting to note that according to the Upakeśa-gaccha-paṭṭāvalī, the Jaina Acarya Ratnaprabha-Suri converted Mahişamardini to the Jaina pantheon under the name of Saccikā, who is none else but Saciya-Mātā still worshipped in a contemporary temple at Osia. [Cf. above, p. 252.-Editor.]
BHARATPUR MUSEUM
An image of sarvatobhadra Adinatha, preserved in this Museum, is important from the iconographic point of view. The standing nude Tirthankara (plate 357B) is to be seen on all the four sides, in strict accordance with the Jaina tradition of samavasarana. He has matted locks on the head. The collection includes also an image of Neminatha, with a conch-mark on the pedestal (plate 358A).
DUNGARPUR ART-GALLERY
Among the exhibits in this Gallery is an early medieval (seventh-eighth century) statue of seated Adinatha, carved out of local pareva stone.
AJMER MUSEUM
An important exhibit in this collection is a colossal bust of Adinatha, datable to the sixth-seventh century. Its findspot is Shergarh (Dholpur, Bharatpur District). The hair-locks falling on the head, curls surmounted by matted locks, oval halo at the back, etc., show the skill of the artist in executing the image. A headless image in the Museum, appearing to be of the early medieval period, is of Parsvanatha.
CENTRAL MUSEUM, JAIPUR
This Museum preserves an elegant early medieval statue of black stone, showing a standing Munisuvrata in kayotsarga-pose. It was found, like another image in the National Museum, New Delhi (above p. 556), at Narhad near Pilani (plate 358B).
R.C. AGRAWALA
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