Figure
18th century-19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A seated figure. This has been described as being probably one of the Jinas, intended to be placed on a swing in a Jain shrine or possibly intended to represent the father of the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, Siddhartha. Alternatively the figure may represent a Hindu saint. It has been proposed that it may represent Sundararmurti, a South Indian Shaivite saint. He appears either to be nude, with the genitalia not depicted, or to wear a loin cloth. He wears two bracelets, detachable, on each wrist. One is in the form of a chain, the other is a penannular ring. He sits on a lotus-base with legs bent and forward in balance to the motion of the swing. The upraised right hand and the down turned left make indeterminate hastas.
On the back is incised a six-pointed star of the 'Star of David' type in a circle, with one or possibly two Tamil characters incised within the centre of the star and on the left side within the circle.
On the back is incised a six-pointed star of the 'Star of David' type in a circle, with one or possibly two Tamil characters incised within the centre of the star and on the left side within the circle.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast brass |
| Brief description | Hindu or Jain figure seated as if on a swing, possibly a Hindu saint or the father of the first Jain Tirthankara, Siddhartha, brass, 18th-19th century, Tamil Nadu. |
| Physical description | A seated figure. This has been described as being probably one of the Jinas, intended to be placed on a swing in a Jain shrine or possibly intended to represent the father of the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, Siddhartha. Alternatively the figure may represent a Hindu saint. It has been proposed that it may represent Sundararmurti, a South Indian Shaivite saint. He appears either to be nude, with the genitalia not depicted, or to wear a loin cloth. He wears two bracelets, detachable, on each wrist. One is in the form of a chain, the other is a penannular ring. He sits on a lotus-base with legs bent and forward in balance to the motion of the swing. The upraised right hand and the down turned left make indeterminate hastas. On the back is incised a six-pointed star of the 'Star of David' type in a circle, with one or possibly two Tamil characters incised within the centre of the star and on the left side within the circle. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | (Tamil character(s) incised on the back) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Maheshwari, R. Uma. 'An Interesting Discovery at the Victoria & Albert Museum', Jaina Studies: Newsletter of the Centre of Jaina Studies, Issue 6, March 2011, p. 51. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.123-1924 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 29, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
