This bronze sculpture may be a portable image commissioned by a Jain layman or laymen for presentation to the temple. The central figure is a ‘Jina’ (salvation-teacher). His identity is not immediately apparent because there is no distinguishing symbol on the throne base. What we can see at the base of the moulding is a ‘dharmachakra’, a Buddhist symbol representing the ‘wheel of law’, flanked by elephants and lions.
The enthroned central figure is seated in padmasana (lotus posture) and has inset silver eyes. The srivatsa emblem on his chest marks him as one ‘beloved of fortune’. He is flanked by two further Jinas standing in kayotsarga, or ‘body abandonment’ posture, making this a trithirtha image. They in turn are flanked by yakshas (minor deities or earth-spirits) bearing fly-whisks. There are kneeling devotees below the throne. Projecting from the base are the yaksha Gomedha and yakshi Ambika, the attendant deities associated with Neminatha. The back plate is embellished with flying garland bearers.
The garments worn by the Jinas indicate that the patrons (and recipient temple) were followers of the Shvetambara ‘White-Clad’ sect. Many icons of this kind can be seen today adorning the inner sanctuaries of Jain temples or stored in temple strong rooms. Many bear donor inscriptions, usually dated.This altarpiece, surprisingly for an image of this importance, does not.