Indian Stone Temple Fragment

Gray monkey with saucer eyes cradles a small turquoise object, looking as if it has a secret.

This temple fragment is Jain, from Kutch District, Gujarat, India, and dates to the 19th 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. Seated carved monkey with a pale gray face, round white eyes ringed in dark paint, and a hand holding a small turquoise item. It sits on a blue stepped base with a toothed front edge. It is 6.5 inches wide, 22 deep and 19 high.

Wide-eyed, thoughtful, and holding on to its prize.