Architecural Niche
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Architectural niche in white marble with carved open work of an upper part of an arch (parikara). This motif, decorated with celestial beings, is intended to frame and protect the head of a seated meditative Jina. It incorporates an honorific umbrella, flanked by elephants and celebratory figures. Two Jinas are depicted enthroned in flanking shrines, which replicate the Jain temple form with stepped superstructure and conical tower. In this context these are conceived as the heavenly dwellings of the Jinas. Two pairs of peacocks add to the heavenly beauty of the setting.
The decoration surrounding the head of a divinity is given especial attention in all Indian temple art, but is especially elaborate in Jain temple architecture. This is probably a response to the unadorned and essentially austere representations of the Jinas themselves. The architectural setting is conceived as the abode of heavenly creatures, celestial musicians and dancers dedicated to celebrating the divinity, as witnessed here. It is a reminder to the devotee that the temple, of any faith, is intended to represent a celestial palace on earth.
The decoration surrounding the head of a divinity is given especial attention in all Indian temple art, but is especially elaborate in Jain temple architecture. This is probably a response to the unadorned and essentially austere representations of the Jinas themselves. The architectural setting is conceived as the abode of heavenly creatures, celestial musicians and dancers dedicated to celebrating the divinity, as witnessed here. It is a reminder to the devotee that the temple, of any faith, is intended to represent a celestial palace on earth.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | White marble |
| Brief description | Jain Architectural niche, Gujarat, white marble, 15th Century AD. |
| Physical description | Architectural niche in white marble with carved open work of an upper part of an arch (parikara). This architectural element, decorated with celestial beings, is intended to frame and protect the head of a seated meditative Jina. It incorporates an honorific umbrella, flanked by elephants and celebratory figures. Two Jinas are depicted enthroned in flanking shrines, which replicate the Jain temple form with a stepped superstructure and conical tower. In this context these are conceived as the heavenly dwellings of the Jinas. Two pairs of peacocks add to the heavenly beauty of the setting. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by by Rev. John McLeod Campbell |
| Object history | Given by Rev. John McLeod Campbell, London EC1. |
| Historical context | The decoration surrounding the head of a divinity is given especial attention in all Indian temple art, but is especially elaborate in Jain temple architecture. This is probably a response to the unadorned and essentially austere representations of the Jinas themselves. The architectural setting is conceived as the abode of heavenly creatures, celestial musicians and dancers dedicated to celebrating the divinity, as witnessed here. It is a reminder to the devotee that the temple, of any faith, is intended to represent a celestial palace on earth. |
| Production | Possibly Mt. Abu, Gujarat, Western India. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Architectural niche in white marble with carved open work of an upper part of an arch (parikara). This motif, decorated with celestial beings, is intended to frame and protect the head of a seated meditative Jina. It incorporates an honorific umbrella, flanked by elephants and celebratory figures. Two Jinas are depicted enthroned in flanking shrines, which replicate the Jain temple form with stepped superstructure and conical tower. In this context these are conceived as the heavenly dwellings of the Jinas. Two pairs of peacocks add to the heavenly beauty of the setting. The decoration surrounding the head of a divinity is given especial attention in all Indian temple art, but is especially elaborate in Jain temple architecture. This is probably a response to the unadorned and essentially austere representations of the Jinas themselves. The architectural setting is conceived as the abode of heavenly creatures, celestial musicians and dancers dedicated to celebrating the divinity, as witnessed here. It is a reminder to the devotee that the temple, of any faith, is intended to represent a celestial palace on earth. |
| Bibliographic reference | L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació "La Caixa" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació "la Caixa", c2007 Number: 9788476649466
p.184, Cat.144 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.14-1961 |
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| Record created | November 3, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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