Bidspirit auction | Jain altar with Tirthankara

Jain altar with Tirthankara - Lost-wax bronze casting depicting Parshvanatha, identifiable by the canopy formed by a multi-headed naga (serpent). He is seated in padmasana on a lotus openwork base and with both hands in dhyanamudra. The Tirthankara is flanked by two protective deities, in accordance with standard iconography. The surface is smothered, polished and worn from age and devotional use. On the reverse is a brief inscription in archaic Devanagari script. Although quite worn, the term śrī pārśva (श्री पाश्वर्) is recognizable, confirming the identification of the figure as Tirthankara Parshvanatha. The fragmentary characters vi… saṃvat 12… suggest a date in the Vikrama era (vikrama saṃvat). The surviving numerals point to a likely dating around Vikrama Samvat 1200, corresponding approximately to 1143 CE. Provenance: Central Italy collection. H 15.5 X 10.5 cm