A LOOSE ILLUSTRATED SIKH ALBUM FOLIO: A GUNSMITH IN HIS WORKSHOP, AND ANOTHER PORTRAIT
Punjab and Rajasthan, North India, second half 19th century
Opaque pigments and ink heightened with gold on wove paper, comprising a vertical-format illustrated album folio portraying a busy gunsmith in his workshop, surrounded by his working tools and a small fire pit, currently hammering into shape the barrel of a long rifle, several more rifles resting on the wall in front of him, accompanied by a single line of black ink Gurmukhi at the top reading the caption ਬੰਦੂਕਬਣਾਉਣੇਵਾਲਾ ੧੧ (Bandook Banaane Wala 11, Gun maker 11) and further 8ll. of Gurmukhi text on the lower portion of the paper, summarising in poetic form the work of the craftsman and his skill and talent in the gun making process; and a small portrait of an Indian villager, possibly a snake charmer, playing the flute in front of a reed basket, wearing an unusual red-speckled pink-dyed conical hat, set within black rules and red borders, the reverse with 4ll. of black and red ink Devanagari script.
27.3cm x 21.5cm the gunsmith folio
11.3cm x 7.4cm the snake charmer portrait
The gunsmith folio must have once belonged to an illustrated Sikh album or painting series featuring villagers, workers, and other craftsmen and artisans, as the Gurmukhi caption at the top of the page suggests. Throughout the 19th century, Indian painters distinguished themselves for the production of authentic and rather realistic depictions of the 'people of India', a sought-after subject for many foreign travellers and officials posted in the Subcontinent. The revered Company School creations in Delhi and Kolkata, comprising architectural sketches, botanical studies, and paintings of the local fauna, are well-known to most, but less so are the topographical painting series produced in the South of India, specifically Tamil Nadu, and in the northern regions, like Punjab and Sindh, of which the present lot is a representative example.
A LOOSE ILLUSTRATED SIKH ALBUM FOLIO: A GUNSMITH IN HIS WORKSHOP, AND ANOTHER PORTRAIT
Punjab and Rajasthan, North India, second half 19th century
Opaque pigments and ink heightened with gold on wove paper, comprising a vertical-format illustrated album folio portraying a busy gunsmith in his workshop, surrounded by his working tools and a small fire pit, currently hammering into shape the barrel of a long rifle, several more rifles resting on the wall in front of him, accompanied by a single line of black ink Gurmukhi at the top reading the caption ਬੰਦੂਕਬਣਾਉਣੇਵਾਲਾ ੧੧ (Bandook Banaane Wala 11, Gun maker 11) and further 8ll. of Gurmukhi text on the lower portion of the paper, summarising in poetic form the work of the craftsman and his skill and talent in the gun making process; and a small portrait of an Indian villager, possibly a snake charmer, playing the flute in front of a reed basket, wearing an unusual red-speckled pink-dyed conical hat, set within black rules and red borders, the reverse with 4ll. of black and red ink Devanagari script.
27.3cm x 21.5cm the gunsmith folio
11.3cm x 7.4cm the snake charmer portrait
The gunsmith folio must have once belonged to an illustrated Sikh album or painting series featuring villagers, workers, and other craftsmen and artisans, as the Gurmukhi caption at the top of the page suggests. Throughout the 19th century, Indian painters distinguished themselves for the production of authentic and rather realistic depictions of the 'people of India', a sought-after subject for many foreign travellers and officials posted in the Subcontinent. The revered Company School creations in Delhi and Kolkata, comprising architectural sketches, botanical studies, and paintings of the local fauna, are well-known to most, but less so are the topographical painting series produced in the South of India, specifically Tamil Nadu, and in the northern regions, like Punjab and Sindh, of which the present lot is a representative example.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 28th Oct, 2024
Following the success of our inaugural sale earlier this June, our Islamic and Indian Art department is pleased to present their upcoming auction, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, which is now live on our website. The auction is taking place on Monday 28th October and features a curated selection of over 200 artworks showcasing the mesmerising artistic variety and kaleidoscopic cultural heritage of these distant lands. From the Mediterranean shores, Near and Middle East, the Iranian plateau, all the way to Central and South Asia, the lots in the sale cover a span of over ten centuries of outstanding artistic achievements.
For any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Azca Auctions
188R Hammersmith Road
London, W6 7DJ
Viewing Times:
Saturday 19th Oct - 11am - 4pm
Sunday 20th Oct - 11am - 4pm
Monday 21st Oct- 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 22nd Oct - 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 23rd Oct - 10am - 4pm
Thursday 24th Oct - 10am - 4pm
Friday 25th Oct - 10am - 4pm
Saturday 26th Oct - 11am - 4pm
Sunday 27th Oct - 11am - 4pm
The sale will take place on Monday October 28th at 12pm GMT (London)