Untitled

Unknown

9th–10th century · Copper alloy · Asian Art

This Digambara icon from the Deccan shows a jina meditating beneath a flowering tree, follow the conventions seen in Buddhist sculptures of the period. As in Buddhist images, the jina is flanked by attendants—the nature-deity yaksha and yakshi replacing the bodhisattvas—and fly-whisk bearers gesturing their readiness to fan him. A lion-supported throne and triple umbrellas confirm the regal status. Rock-cut versions of such compositions appear frequently in the Pandyan territories of northern Tamil Nadu in the eighth and ninth centuries, a date range to which this bronze can be assigned.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th–10th century

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

India (Karnataka)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Gift of Samuel Eilenberg, 1987