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Sculpture - Jina Rishabhanatha

Jina Rishabhanatha

  • Object:

    Sculpture

  • Place of origin:

    Uttar Pradesh, India (made)

  • Date:

    9th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Sandstone

  • Credit Line:

    Acquired to commemorate the occasion of the exhibition 'The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India' (23rd November 1995 to 18th February 1996) with the generous support of the following: The Oshwal Association of the UK; The Arjav Group; De Beers Centenary AG; Vrajlal Mehta & Family; Nortel Asia South Pacific; The Rosy Blue Group; The Su-Raj Group; Unilever; Vijay & Bharat Shah of the Vijaydimon Group of Companies and the B Vijaykumar Group of Companies; The Navnat Vanik Association of the UK; Bonas & Co Ltd; The Diminco Group; The Eurostar Group. Chandaria Family-Conros Corporation; Gemasia

  • Museum number:

    IS.12-1996

  • Gallery location:

    South-East Asia, room 47b

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This sandstone sculpture shows the figure of the Jina Rishabhanatha. He was the first ‘tirthankara’ (one of the founders) of the Jain religious community. This figure has long hair, tucked behind the ears and falling on his shoulders. This feature usually only appears in depictions of Rishabhanatha.

Many details confirm his status. The wheel of law ('dharmachakra') at the centre of the throne is a emblem of his role as a Jina (salvation-teacher). He sits in meditation pose framed by an elaborate open-work nimbus or halo. The throne is supported by lions, with standing figures of ‘chauri’ (fly-whisk) bearers on each side. Above, two celestial garland-bearers venerate him and a celestial drummer sits on the honorific triple-umbrella.

Physical description

A seated figure of the Jina Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara, on a lion supported throne. On each side are standing figures of chauri bearers (flywhisk bearers). The first tirthankara is the only one usually shown with hair behind the ears.

Place of Origin

Uttar Pradesh, India (made)

Date

9th century (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Sandstone

Dimensions

Height: 78 cm, Width: 47 cm, Depth: 22 cm

Object history note

Bought from Colin Hodgetts.

Descriptive line

Seated figure of the Jina Rishabhanatha, sandstone, 9th century, Uttar Pradesh.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London, V & A Publication, 2007, p.119, pl.132. ISBN 9781851775095. Guy, John (ed.). ‘L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio’, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. p.180, cat. 139. ISBN 9788476649466
Willis, M. (ed.). India: the Art of the Temple. Shanghai : Shanghai Museum, 2010. 254p, ill. ISBN 978-7-5479-0092-5. Cat. 3:4, pp. 220-1.
Text is in Chinese.

Exhibition History

India: The Art of the Temple, Shanghai Museum (04/08/2010-14/11/2010)
: L’escultura en els temples indis: l’art de la devocio (CaixaForum, Barcelona 27/07/2007-18/11/2007)

Labels and date

THE JINA RISHABHANATHA
Sandstone
Uttar Pradesh, India
9th Century

This relief depicts the first of the twenty-four historical saviours of Jainism, the Jina Rishabhanatha. Jinas or tirthankaras are the liberated souls whose exemplary lives serve as role models to the Jain laity. Rishabhanatha is one of only two of the Jinas who are physically distinguished, in this case by his long uncut hair, which cascades over his shoulders. His other attribute, the seated bull which serves as his cognisant mark, is absent.

The Jina is seated in a meditation posture but with his eyes wide and alert. His throne is supported by a pair of prancing lions who also guard the discus (cakra), symbol of the Jina's teachings. Flanking the throne are protective deities, the yaksha Gomukha ("cow-headed") and his yakshi Chakresvari. The Jina is attended by a pair of fly-whisk bearers, and above by celestial garland-bearers, together with a celestial drummer perched on the sacred umbrella.

IS 12-1996 [1996]

Subjects depicted

Jain

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

IND

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Qr_O66318
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