Indian Stacking Jain Altar

Four stacked tiers on lion's paws, climbing toward a small and very well-guarded space.

This stacking Jain altar comes from the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, and dates to the 19th century. It is carved rosewood with silver nails. Jain households and temples in Gujarat have a long tradition of fine carved shrines, built to house images of the Tirthankaras. Three platforms, each on heavy paw feet, rise beneath a railed pavilion with scalloped arches and small figure columns. A tapering spire crowns it all, and floral bands cover the tiers. It stands 62 inches high and 22 wide.

Every level is a step toward something. It was built with that in mind.