Indian Temple Fragment Depicting Feline

Gray stone cat with red paint dripping down its mane, set on a scrolled base.

This temple fragment depicting feline is Jain, from Gujarat, India, and dates to the mid 18th century. It is carved & painted stone. Another kind of Jain cosmological painting shows historical figures and their attributes, such as Jina Parshva, the earliest Jain leader with historical evidence, who is meant to illustrate compassion. Small carved beast sits on a curled, decorated base with spirals at one end. Gray stone shows through a surface of red paint splashed around the head and chest, with green flecks and small chips at the edges. It is 15 inches wide, 6 deep and 18 high.

A little bloodthirsty in color, quite tame in demeanor.