India - Jain Yellow copper alloy

Important Jain Chaubisi / Caturviṃśati-paṭṭa in copper alloy, representing the 24 Tirthankaras, West India, probably Gujarat or Rajasthan, first half of the 19th century, circa 1820–1850. The composition, particularly rich, is organized around a large central Tirthankara seated in meditation, hands in dhyānamudrā, bearing the śrīvatsa on the chest. He is surrounded by the twenty-three other Jinas, arranged in symmetrical registers within a complex openwork architecture. The socle features various animals, figures and symbolic elements integrated into the throne. The altar is cast in one piece, with a substantial openwork structure. The foundry shows irregularities characteristic of traditional work, while the raised areas show ancient wear and a natural polish contrasting with the darker recesses and deposits preserved in the protected parts. The interior of the base and the reverse also bear ancient traces coherent with the proposed dating. The precise identification of the main Tirthankara is not retained: although several lions are visible in the socle, they belong to the throne’s decoration and do not allow confident identification of the individual lanchhana of Mahāvīra. Provenance: from the old collection R. M., Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium, formed between 1979 and 2009; later by succession to his wife Marie-Anne Lefevre in 2023. Condition: good overall given the age, with old wear, small foundry irregularities, chipping and a small ancient loss at the crown. No major structural damage visible. Dimensions: 30.8 × 21 × 8 cm Weight: 2 823 g video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/we18e0u9qjf8t3vholpwc/AKtzYNTeuK7_t8aJWwSEgoo?rlkey=92hijm4m51s8y500l3btnhd85&dl=0

Estimate:£1,607.59

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