LARGE TIRTHANKARA SHAFT WITH PARSHVANATHA.
India. 12th c.

Bright; cream colored sandstone with a darker patina skin. The 23rd Tirthankara as monk standing in kayotsarga and sitting in meditation above. Meghmali sent a storm and heavy rainfall to spoil Parshva. The Jain was protected by the snakes Dharanendra and Padmavati; which he once saved from fire. They have curled their bodies behind him and opened a five-headed neck shield above his head. At his feet smaller representations of
Dharanendra and Pamavati in human form.

His nakedness connects him with the Digambara; the 'heavenly clad'; the stricter and more ascetic of the schools of the Jains. Height 75cm; width 28cm; depth 16cm. Wooden base. Condition A/B. Blemishes and chips; somewhat weathered; possibly glued on the upper right corner.

Provenance:
-Collection Prof. Werner Creutzfeldt (1924-2006); acquired 1964-68 locally on travels.

Infos Lot 2240Art trade; Van Ham.