Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s7: (7) Sculpture

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s7

Language: English

(7) Sculpture

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Sculpture or the art of image making is considerably old in ancient India.¹⁰⁸ The earliest materials for carving selected by Indian artists seems to have been wood. Katthakamma or the work in wood has been referred to above. The Vyākarāna Bhāsya refers to the sage Vāhattaka whose wooden figure was built and worshipped by his son.¹⁰⁹ We also hear of images made of plaster (puttha), ivory (danta) and stone (sela).¹¹⁰

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¹⁰⁸ For characteristic features of the sculptures of the various periods see Gopinath, The Elements of Hindu Iconography pp 33-37, O. C. Gangoly, Indian Sculpture The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol III, pp 536-554.

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¹⁰⁹ 2 11.

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¹¹⁰ Bth Bhā 1 2469.

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The Nāyādhammakahā mentions a golden image of Malli with a hole in its head which was covered with a lid.¹¹¹ Then we come across a mechanical image (jantepedumā) of a human being which could walk, open and shut its eyes. It is said that in Yavana country such images were turned out in great number.¹¹² Another specimen of fine workmanship in mechanical toy is supplied by the mechanical elephant (jamamayahatthi) manufactured by king Pajjota to capture Udayana of Kosambi.¹¹³

Linked texts (3)

Jambuddīvapannatti — Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa — Vālmīki, Sanskrit
Nāyādhammakahāo — Sudharman, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit