19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
17
THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN OF MILK (SAMUDRA MANTHANA)
Possibly Jaipur or Bikaner, Rajasthan, North-Western India, second half 19th century
THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN OF MILK (SAMUDRA MANTHANA)
PROPERTY FROM A CANADIAN COLLECTION
Possibly Jaipur or Bikaner, Rajasthan, North-Western India, second half 19th century
Opaque pigments and ink heightened with gold on wove paper, depicting the Hindu God Vishnu, Lord of Preservation, seated on a low throne at the top of a pillar, supposedly a stylised representation of Mount Mandara, holding his typical attributes (conch shell, lotus flower, mace and quoit), the pillar surrected by Kurma the Tortoise, Vishnu's second avatara, on each side the factions of Good and Evil represented respectively by the Hindu Gods Brahma and Shiva on one side and two horned demons (divs) on the latter, each party holding tight the serpent Vasuki as a rope to turn Mount Mandara, the demons tricked into pulling the head of the snake and weakened by its poisonous breath, the outfits of the Hindu gods and the pillar covered in repeating miniature pseudo-nagari letters, possibly representing the sacred monosyllable aum, set within concentric polychrome rules and gold-speckled brown and dark orange borders.
35.5cm x 27.5cm
Sold for £566
THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN OF MILK (SAMUDRA MANTHANA)
PROPERTY FROM A CANADIAN COLLECTION
Possibly Jaipur or Bikaner, Rajasthan, North-Western India, second half 19th century
Opaque pigments and ink heightened with gold on wove paper, depicting the Hindu God Vishnu, Lord of Preservation, seated on a low throne at the top of a pillar, supposedly a stylised representation of Mount Mandara, holding his typical attributes (conch shell, lotus flower, mace and quoit), the pillar surrected by Kurma the Tortoise, Vishnu's second avatara, on each side the factions of Good and Evil represented respectively by the Hindu Gods Brahma and Shiva on one side and two horned demons (divs) on the latter, each party holding tight the serpent Vasuki as a rope to turn Mount Mandara, the demons tricked into pulling the head of the snake and weakened by its poisonous breath, the outfits of the Hindu gods and the pillar covered in repeating miniature pseudo-nagari letters, possibly representing the sacred monosyllable aum, set within concentric polychrome rules and gold-speckled brown and dark orange borders.
35.5cm x 27.5cm
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 19th Jun, 2025
Our specialist auction Arts of India and the Islamic Lands is now online for you to browse, peruse and fall in love with your next antique.
Among the highlights, this sale vaunts a remarkable selection of Rajput Schools paintings and an illustrated loose folio from a Timurid Haft Paykar series, all part of a private Canadian collection; several gem-studded Indian necklaces, treasured heirlooms of a local family; a notable group of Islamic manuscripts, including a geomantic tome attributed to the Nubian alchemist Dhul-Nun al-Misri; and several lots of Persian Qajar lacquer belonging to the heir of a British diplomatic family in office under Sir Denis Wright in Tehran between 1971 - 1973.
Our selected lots preview starts next week, on Tuesday 3rd June, and the full view is going to take place from Friday 13th June until the sale day.
Mark your calendars and come to see us!
Viewing
Viewing:
13th June - 10:00 - 17:00
14th June - 11:00 - 16:00
15th June - 11:00 - 16:00
16th June - 10:00 - 17:00
17th June - 10:00 - 17:00
18th June - 10:00 - 17:00
