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Leaf from a Jain Kalpasutra. Anointment of King Rsabha. Circa 1500. Gouache and gold on paper. 11cm by 21.7cm.

Formerly in the collection of Betty Comden (co-writer of Singin' in the Rain), purchased from Doris Weiner Gallery, Madison Avenue, New York.

Labels on frame read:
When Rsabha was chosen by the people as their first king, the god Shakra fashioned a gold dais and throne for him, brought holy waters, and dressed him in royal garments.  Twins living in a lake nearby brought water to anoint him but, overwhelmed by his magnificence, only dared throw it on his feet (see Brown, Miniature Paintings of the Jaina Kalpasutra, fig 121).