19th Jun, 2025 12:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
42
A NOBLE RAJPUT FIGURE RIDING AN ELEPHANT ACROSS A RIVER
Mewar, Rajasthan, North-Western India, 18th century
A NOBLE RAJPUT FIGURE RIDING AN ELEPHANT ACROSS A RIVER
Mewar, Rajasthan, North-Western India, 18th century
Opaque pigments heightened with gold on wove paper, showing a serene yet majestic scene with a noble Rajput prince clad in regal red with a gold-embroidered turban sitting atop an elephant with gold chains and trappings, approaching a river, three figures waiting on the other banks, one kneeling and sipping water from his palms, the others bearing ceremonial spears, all captured in the characteristic Mewari palette of soft greens, yellows, and warm reds, the composition set within black rules and red borders, inscribed above in black ink Devanagari script हाथी का लगन (the diligence of an elephant), the verso bearing a later-added Devanagari inscription reading महाराणा जी श्री अरिसिंहजी ..., translating to “His Majesty, the Maharana Shri Ari Singhji ...i”, linking the painting to Maharana Ari Singh of Mewar (r. 1724 - 1773), another inscription in pencil in English reading Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar, in a white cardboard mount.
The painting 32.8cm x 22.5cm, 52cm x 40.5cm including the mount
Sold for £2,337
A NOBLE RAJPUT FIGURE RIDING AN ELEPHANT ACROSS A RIVER
Mewar, Rajasthan, North-Western India, 18th century
Opaque pigments heightened with gold on wove paper, showing a serene yet majestic scene with a noble Rajput prince clad in regal red with a gold-embroidered turban sitting atop an elephant with gold chains and trappings, approaching a river, three figures waiting on the other banks, one kneeling and sipping water from his palms, the others bearing ceremonial spears, all captured in the characteristic Mewari palette of soft greens, yellows, and warm reds, the composition set within black rules and red borders, inscribed above in black ink Devanagari script हाथी का लगन (the diligence of an elephant), the verso bearing a later-added Devanagari inscription reading महाराणा जी श्री अरिसिंहजी ..., translating to “His Majesty, the Maharana Shri Ari Singhji ...i”, linking the painting to Maharana Ari Singh of Mewar (r. 1724 - 1773), another inscription in pencil in English reading Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar, in a white cardboard mount.
The painting 32.8cm x 22.5cm, 52cm x 40.5cm including the mount
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!
For any enquiries, please contact us at:
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
