South Asia, India, Mughal Empire, ca. 18th century CE. Three Mughal paintings on handmade paper (either Bansaha from crushed bamboo, Tatha from jute, or Tulat from cotton); two are matted, one float mounted. The first depicts two men on horseback hunting a ferocious tiger in a natural setting with an elaborate decorative border on three sides and calligraphy at the lower left. Another presents four mustachioed men dressed in long garments and turbans, three holding instruments or tools, the fourth standing behind a fabric screen. Panels of calligraphic text are above and below, and a beautiful decorative border frames three sides. Finally, a third composition also featuring four mustachioed men dressed in long garments and turbans, and holding instruments or tools, depicted in the outdoors with calligraphic panels above and below. Size: largest 10" L x 6.5" W (25.4 cm x 16.5 cm); 14" L x 9.75" W (35.6 cm x 24.8 cm) with mat
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 only by a relatively small number of artists in Rajasthan.
Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#134663
Condition
All are attached to mats. Paintings are very strong with vivid details and vibrant color palettes.