Accession number
MS M.1253
Object title
Illuminated leaf from the Kalpasūtra (MS M.1253).
Created
Western India, Gujarat, ca. 1500
Credit line
Gift of Sharon Dunlap Smith in honor of William M. Voelkle on the occasion of the Morgan's Centennial, 2024.
Description
1 leaf : paper, illuminated ; 113 x 265 mm
Provenance
Doris Wiener Gallery, New York; purchased by Sharon Dunlap Smith c. 1970.
Notes
Leaf with text and image concerning Harinaigamesin Transporting the Embryo of Mahavira.
Text: Kalpasūtra.
1 column, 7 lines
Decoration: 1 miniature.
The miniature depicts Harinaigamesin with the embryo of Mahavira, which he removed from the womb of Devanandra. Harinaigamesin is here depicted with a human body and the head of a horse. Devananandra is reclining on her bed with her eyes wide open, although according to the legend she is meant to be asleep. Jain manuscript paintings typically depict figures with faces presented at an angle so that both eyes are visible and open, regardless of the circumstances.
Possibly a sister of M.1239.1-2.
For other examples of Kalpasūtra leaves, see MS M.1239.2, MS M.1237 and MS M.1238.1-2. Of a similar format and layout, MS M.1035.1-2 come from a Kālakācāryakathānaka, a non-canonical text often added to Kalpasūtra volumes.
Text: Kalpasūtra.
1 column, 7 lines
Decoration: 1 miniature.
The miniature depicts Harinaigamesin with the embryo of Mahavira, which he removed from the womb of Devanandra. Harinaigamesin is here depicted with a human body and the head of a horse. Devananandra is reclining on her bed with her eyes wide open, although according to the legend she is meant to be asleep. Jain manuscript paintings typically depict figures with faces presented at an angle so that both eyes are visible and open, regardless of the circumstances.
Possibly a sister of M.1239.1-2.
For other examples of Kalpasūtra leaves, see MS M.1239.2, MS M.1237 and MS M.1238.1-2. Of a similar format and layout, MS M.1035.1-2 come from a Kālakācāryakathānaka, a non-canonical text often added to Kalpasūtra volumes.
Language
Prakrit
Century
Catalog link
Classification
Department