Head of a Jina (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
The Indian religion of Jainism rose to prominence at about the same time as Buddhism and enjoyed extensive patronage in and around Kushan-period Mathura. This head probably comes from an image of a Jain Tirthankara, or Jina, a perfected being who serves as a role model for the Jain faithful. Unlike a Buddhist Bodhisattva, a Jina has more fully transcended this realm for the next and does not interact directly with the Jain practitioner. Appropriately, his facial expression-while benevolent and compassionate-is somewhat detached and distant.
Kushan period
Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Paul Mellon
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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