Unknown
Jina Mahavira (?)circa 850-900

On view:

Geffen Galleries

Bronze sculpture of a seated figure in cross-legged posture, hands folded in lap, bare torso, with olive-brown patina and patches of verdigris green

Bronze sculpture viewed from behind, seated figure in cross-legged meditation posture with hands resting on knees, head featuring incised curled hair pattern, green-brown patinated surface with traces of gold.

Bronze sculpture of a seated male figure in cross-legged meditation posture, bare-chested, with hands resting in lap, elongated earlobes, and patterned hair; dark patina with areas of green oxidation.

Bronze sculpture of a seated figure in cross-legged meditation posture, hands resting in lap, bare torso, elongated earlobes with circular earrings, and closely cropped hair, with dark patinated surface.

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Jina Mahavira (?)
Place Made: India, Karnataka or Tamil Nadu
Date Made: circa 850-900
Medium: Copper alloy
Dimensions: 8 7/8 x 7 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (22.54 x 19.37 x 8.26 cm)
Credit Line: From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase
Accession Number: M.82.6.2
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Jina Mahavira (circa 599-527 BCE) was born a prince of the Lichchhavi clan of Vaishali, Bihar. He became the 24th Jain savior (Jina or tirthankara [‘forder’ between the phenomenal world and enlightenment]). Conceived as an ideal yogi, the Jina gazes serenely while seated in the meditation posture (dhyana asana) with his legs crossed beneath him and his hands laid on top of one another in his lap (dhyana mudra). He has short snail curl hair and distended earlobes, both symbolizing his renunciation from the princely realm when he previously had long locks and wore heavy golden ear ornaments. This representation of Jina Mahavira depicts him totally naked in accordance with the rules of the Digambara (‘sky-clad’) Jain order. This sectarian affiliation is corroborated by the atypical depiction of the Jina’s genitalia on the underside of the sculpture.
Selected Bibliography: Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.
Pal, Pratapaditya; S. Andhare; J. Cort; S. Gorakshakar; P. Granoff; J. Guy; G. Larson; Stephen Markel. The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1994.
Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
Helfenstein, Josef and Joseph N. Newland, eds. Experiments With Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence. Houston: Menil Collection, 2014.

Unknown
Jina Mahavira (?)circa 850-900

On view:

Geffen Galleries

Artist or Maker: Unknown
Title: Jina Mahavira (?)
Place Made: India, Karnataka or Tamil Nadu
Date Made: circa 850-900
Medium: Copper alloy
Dimensions: 8 7/8 x 7 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (22.54 x 19.37 x 8.26 cm)
Credit Line: From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase
Accession Number: M.82.6.2
Classification: Sculpture
Collecting Area: South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes: Jina Mahavira (circa 599-527 BCE) was born a prince of the Lichchhavi clan of Vaishali, Bihar. He became the 24th Jain savior (Jina or tirthankara [‘forder’ between the phenomenal world and enlightenment]). Conceived as an ideal yogi, the Jina gazes serenely while seated in the meditation posture (dhyana asana) with his legs crossed beneath him and his hands laid on top of one another in his lap (dhyana mudra). He has short snail curl hair and distended earlobes, both symbolizing his renunciation from the princely realm when he previously had long locks and wore heavy golden ear ornaments. This representation of Jina Mahavira depicts him totally naked in accordance with the rules of the Digambara (‘sky-clad’) Jain order. This sectarian affiliation is corroborated by the atypical depiction of the Jina’s genitalia on the underside of the sculpture.
Selected Bibliography: Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.
Pal, Pratapaditya; S. Andhare; J. Cort; S. Gorakshakar; P. Granoff; J. Guy; G. Larson; Stephen Markel. The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1994.
Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
Helfenstein, Josef and Joseph N. Newland, eds. Experiments With Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence. Houston: Menil Collection, 2014.