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Identification of two jain Bronzes
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miniature Jinas above in rows of shown in vertical rows is a regular feature of the metal sculptures from Karnataka region from 11th - 15th cent. A.D.?.
The second bronze image from the Asian Arts Museum of San Franscisco is a Svetambara Jain altarpiece, called the Panchatirthi of Sreyansanath, the eleventh Tirthankara and his cognizance is the Rhinoceros. Panchatirthi of Sreyansanatha
A Svetambara alterpeice, guilded copper inlaid with silver. Western India, dated V.S. 1569=A.D. 1512. Inscribed in Devanagiri on reverse on the parikara No. 2003 33.38
A seated image of Shreyansanatha is shown enshrined within a semicircular parikara flanked by a Tirthankara on either side. Two miniature Jinas appear seated above them. Thus, making it a panchatirthi type image.
The mula-nayaka or the central figure is seated in padmasana on a Simhasana (lion-throne) flanked by a seated yaksha on the left and a female yakshi on the right. Below on the pedestal appear the navagrahas (nine planets)represented here symbolically. Five on the left and four on the right. On either side of these are Dwarapalas or Sasanadevatas in sitting posture. The circular parikara and the whole of the altarpiece is decorated with inlaid silver pieces at various locations including the seat of the main image.
An elaborate Devanagari inscription appearing on reverse reads.
'सं. १५६९ वर्षे माह सुदि प सुक्रे ३. ज्ञा.सा. भांडाभा. भ रमादे पु. दुगासाडा भा. सिंगार दे. पु. नागामोल्हा (?) सकुटुंब वतेन पिशचि (?) मित्रं श्री. श्रेयांस बिंबं प्र. श्री खेत्रगच्छ प. श्री भूवनकीर्ति
H. Il
The random translation of the above is
"On Friday, the 5th of the bright half of the month of Magha. (Feb.-Mar.) in V.S. 1569=AD 1512, Shah Bhanda and his wife of the Oswal Jati, Bharamde son of Dugasada and his wife Singarde and son of the Nagamathas(?) Family and friends got the image of Sreyansanatha installed at the hands of Panyas Sri Bhavana-Kirti who belonged to the Khataragaccha order (of the Jains)."
REFERENCES . 1. Photograph and reproduction permission courtesy, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco,
U.S.A. 2. C. Sivaramamurti, Panorama of Jain Art, Times of India, New Delhi, 1983, p.p.15,16 3. Doshi S. Homage to Shravan - Belgoda, Marg, Bombay, 1982 4. Desai K. Jewels on the Crescent, C.S.M.V.S and Marg, Mumbai, 2002, No. 54 5. Moti Chandra , studies in Early Indian Painting, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, 1974 6. Umakant P. Shah, Jaina-Rupa Mandana, Abhinava, Delhi, 1987, XXXV 61 7. P. Pal, The Peaceful Liberators, LACM. 1994
