Indian Temple Fragment with Monkey Motif, Based

Half carved, half left as a raw block, in pale blue paint and open lattice.

This temple fragment with monkey motif is Jain, from Bhojpur, Kutch District, India, and dates to the mid 19th century. It is carved & painted stone. Paintings called Lokapurusha, or Cosmic Man, show separate worlds for liberated, celestial and mortal beings, along with a multi-tiered hell, all arranged within the figure of the universe. Stone fragment mounted on a wooden base, with one side carved into stepped openwork panels in pale blue paint and a grid border at the top. The right side is rough, unfinished-looking tan stone, and a seated figure sits to the left. It is 17.5 inches wide, 17.5 deep and 14 high.

An unfinished look with a very finished taste.