Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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JAIN IMAGES (IDOLS) OF INDIA IN MUSEUMS ABROAD
This image of South India in the background of Bahubaliji is notable specifically because of inscription on it. This image is of 9-10th century A.D. and created during Chalukya age as an important artwork.
In Museum Ritburg, Zurich, there is a collection of idols of Tirthankar Lord Adinath and Lord Suparswanath. This significant idol of Tirthankar Lord Adinath is acquired from the famous town of Paramaras Chandravati (Rajasthan). Made on white marble, this image of Tirthankara Lord Rushabhdeva is of Superb quality artwork. This attractive and beautiful image is of 12th century A.D. Image of Lord Mahavir is created on white marble. There is a Broken inscription on this (image).
In national Museum at Rome there is one image of Lord Neminath exhibited. Lord Neminath is shown under canopy and in Meditation Posture. This idol is made of Bronze. This image is made in Gujarat and there is write up indicating 1460 A.D. on the idol.
At National Museum at Copanhegan one image of Lord Adinath and Seven images of Lord Mahavirswami is collected. In the image of Lord Adinath, there is inscription of 24 (Tirthankaras) called "Chouvisi". Image is in Meditation Posture, and appears to be of 12th century A.D. of three images of Lord Mahavir Swami one is in Meditation made and one is in Standstill (Kayotsarga) Posture. All the three images are of Kakatiya style and are of 12th century A.D. origin (creation period).
At Museum Fur Bolkar Kunde, Munich, there are idols of Tirthankaras, Ambika, Panchtirthi etc. In Museum of Berlin, Dullem, there is a collection of Tirthankar Shirsh idols, Lord Adinath and Tirthankara Lord Mahavir, At Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi (Bangla Desh), there is collection of (images) Lord Adinath Lord Shantinath, Lord Vimalnath etc. At Dinajpur Museum, Dinajpur (Bangladesh) idol of Lord Adinath, In Dacca Museum the image of Lord Chandraprabhu is exhibited. In Bulgaria at the Rajgrad Museum two images of Tirthankaras are collected.
Besides these, there are also images in private collectors' collection. There collectors are Hira Manek, Vickford, Detroit Institute of Art, Rockfeller, Lenart, Billoth by Balter etc. of United States of America.
Most of the pieces of Artworks of Jaina, collected in Museums abroad, are from Gujarat and Rajasthan. But Artwork pieces from Orissa, South and Bihar too are spreading Beauty of their Regional Artstyle. Aforesaid images (idols) is a creation on Prastar, Bonze and Brass. Images of Bronze, as aforesaid, are rare & difficult to obtain as also of great significance images as stated above, are possibly of Jain Temples, which have reached abroad, But there is no information as to the source of reaching these abroad. Though there are varied & different information sources, related to this matter, nevertheless, they are absolutely necessary.
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