Jain Altar

This beautiful brass, Jain altar has seated Tirthankaras on a pedestal of four elephants. At the top of the piece are five lotus bud finials. Below this are five stories, each with four seated saints or tirthankars gazing out from multi-foil arches. On the corner of each story are free-hanging floral droplets. The base of the piece is a square, stepped platform, below which are four elephants facing out from the corners. 
Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twenty-four leaders or Tirthankaras. A Tirthankara is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the dharma (righteous path).