Parshvanatha, 33rd Tirthankara
Jain Bronze Tri-Tirthankara Statue
National Museum, New Delhi, India
Materials: Bangladeshi Lost Wax Method: | Bronze |
Total Height Including Base: | 21 inches |
Base Width & Depth: | 16 x 10 inches |
Weight: | 32 pounds |
The bronze metal sculpture is of a Tirthankara, a Jain savior, who sits in the center with two more Tirthankaras standing in meditation on either side of the main figure, thus making a group of three Tirthankaras, known as a Tri-Tirthankara image. On two ends of the pedestal are figures of a Yaksha and a Yakshi. The central Tirthankara sits on an embroidered cushion placed on a simhasana (lion throne) whose centre has the dharmachakra, or the wheel of law, flanked by two deer. The lion throne, the textile cover or carpet on it and the cushion all have beautiful designs. On top of the pedestal, below the Yakshi and Yaksha, are eight heads which symbolize the eight planets. This beautiful composition dates from circa 650 AD. and is typical of the Western School from the seventh century onwards whose examples have been discovered in Gujarat and Rajasthan.