A Jain Cosmic Diagram of Adhaidvipa

Acquired by the current owner, late 1960s/ early 1970s
Sotheby's New York, September 19, 1996, lot 158

Overall good and stable condition. Slight rubbing and subsequent loss to pigment along the vertical and horizontal fold creases. Abrasion to the bodies of fish seen in the two concentric blue circles. Superficial loss to pigment and slight bleeding in some areas of black text. Brown stains on surface, seen prominently in upper center left, center left, center right and lower center left. Please note that the medium for this work is pigments on cloth.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This Jain patachitra (lit. cloth painting) depicts the universe divided into three worlds. In the center is the continent of the woodapple tree, or Jambudvipa. This inner continent is surrounded by two oceans shown in blue, and two other continents, seen as the concentric circles separated by the water bodies. The third and outermost continent is believed to end abruptly at a mountain range, shown here as the border at the periphery. Because of this belief such images are called adhai dvipa pata, that is, paintings of two and a half continents.

For a similar example see P.Pal, The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India, Los Angeles, 1995, p. 223, no. 98.