Atop a lion throne, at the centre of a nearly foot-tall bronze shrine, sits Ajinath—the second Tirthankara in Jain faith. Surrounding him are smaller, ornate figures of the other 23 Tirthankaras. Rich with details and inscriptions, it is predicted that the silver inlaid shrine was fashioned by master craftsmen in the 16th century. It was priced at a princely sum of Rs 4 lakh.

This shrine, and 16 other pieces of art—all depicting facets of Jainism—were part of a catalogue for the Classical Indian Art Auction 3 by Todywalla Auctions, a Girguam-based institution established in 1964, now a leading name in the field.