Lot 17F
South Asia, India, Mughal Empire , ca. 19th Century CE. A handsome depiction of a Mughal prince sitting in an elegant chair while contemplating the beauty of a white flower in his right hand and holding a sword in his left. He sits on a balustraded balcony, his feet resting upon an exquisite Persian style carpet, with a small white puppy at his feet - the scene presented beneath the serene azure blue skies. The prince is dressed in royal robes and a fancy brimmed hat, and bedecked in a triple strand beaded pectoral, a luxurious belt, knee-high stockings, and black shoes. His profile visage is quite peaceful with the visible dark brown eye framed by a thick brow, a naturalistic nose, and a well-manicured mustache. His name is written in Gujarathi at the top of the composition. Finely painted on paper (either Bansaha from crushed bamboo, Tatha from jute, or Tulat from cotton) and matted in silk under glass in a gilded frame. Size: 19.5" L x 13.5" W (49.5 cm x 34.3 cm); 28" L x 22" W (71.1 cm x 55.9 cm) in frame
The inscription at the top on the red banner is written in the Gujarathi language (Gujarath is adjacent to Rajasthan), and it says "Dwark no Raja" meaning "King of Dwaraka." Dwaraka is a city, historical or legendary, that traditionally has been associated with Lord Krishna. Hence, this portrait is one of the rulers of that area.
Mughal painting refers to a type of miniature painting - either serving as book illustrations or created as single work. The term miniature suggests a tiny scale; however, it actually indicates a style of watercolor work similar to early European book illustrations that used the red pigment minia. Some Indian miniatures are in fact quite large. The Mughal style stems from Persian miniature painting, though with Indian Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist influences, evolving largely throughout the Mughal Empire (16th to 19th centuries), and eventually spreading to other Indian courts - Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh - flourishing during the reigns of Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Jahangir. The tradition continues today with Mughal-style miniature paintings still being created, though by a relatively small number of artists in Rajasthan.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Butterfields auction
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#123623
- Condition: Overall excellent save minor surface wear.
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