AN INSCRIBED JAIN COSMOLOGICAL DIAGRAM DEPICTING TRILOKA (THE THREE WORLDS), GUJARAT, 16TH CENTURY Published: D.L. Galician, A India Portico Do Norte: Auditorio De Galicia. 1998, no. 382. Western India. Distemper on cloth and mounted in a modern wood frame. Densely painted and inscribed, the cosmos divided into three circles, representing the three worlds with figures seated at the four corners of the universe. The two inner circles representing two oceans, the off shoots of which travel through the subsections of continents and islands, interconnecting the three worlds. Each section is inscribed with explanatory commentary text including several charts and tables. Provenance: From the collection of Jean Claude Cinacimino since 1960. Collection of Carlos Cruañas Dalmau, Barcelona, acquired from the above. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, minimal soiling, light fading, minor folds, and losses with restorations. glued to the backing Dimensions: Image size 73 x 70 cm, Size incl. frame 87 x 90.5 cm Jain cosmology considers the universe divided in three worlds (Triloka): the lower ( Adholoka), the upper ( Urdhaloka), and the middle world ( Madhialoka). The middle world is formed by countless rings of lands or islands ( Dvipas), surrounded by different oceans ( Samudras). In the center is Jambudvipa ('the Continent of the Wood Apple Tree') centered on the cosmic Mount Meru. The inner worlds Urdhalok and Madhialoka and their numerous continents, delineated by dividing lines, are surrounded by two oceans: Lavanasamudra ('Sea of Salt') and Kalodadhi ('Black Sea'), both with fish and aquatic plants. Next to these bodies of water are two other continents each anchored on the left and right by Mount Meru. Together these five cosmic mountains all falling on the horizontal axis are termed Panchameru. On the vertical axis are enshrined Jinas shown within squares, flanked by human couples. The ordered, symmetrical cosmos ends at the outermost continent known as Pushkaradvipa ('Lotus Continent') which is surrounded by a stylized lotus-petal fringe. Literature comparison: Compare a related Jain cosmological diagram albeit with significantly less text, 59.7 x 59.7 cm, dated ca. 1650, in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, accession number 68.8.111. Compare a closely related Jain cosmological diagram with similar inscriptions, 74.9 x 69.9 cm, undated, in the Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, accession number 62.3357. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 6 October 2015, lot 110 Price: GBP 13,750 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Jain cosmic diagram depicting Adhaidvipa, Gujarat, circa 1650 Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject and arrangement. Note the fewer inscriptions. Note the slightly smaller size (66 x 66 cm).