Rare Paintings
 16 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
The Beach at Cape Comorin - 1860
by Robert Bruce Foote

Pen-and-ink and wash drawing of the beach at Cape Comorin (Kanniyakumari) by Robert Bruce Foote (1835-1912) in 1860. Inscribed on the front in ink is: 'R.B. Foote delt. 18.9.1860'; on the back: 'View of Cape Comorin, the Kumla Kumari Pagoda,... Read More
 14 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
View of the hill fort, Trichinopoly - 1805
By William Orme

Watercolour

William Orme, who was active from about 1795 to 1819, was born in Manchester and was almost certainly the younger brother of Daniel Orme (also born in Manchester), and older brother of Edward Orme. An early watercolour by hi... Read More
 14 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
'View of part of St. Thorne Street, Fort St. George' - 1805
By William Orme

Watercolour

William Orme, who was active from about 1795 to 1819, was born in Manchester and was almost certainly the younger brother of Daniel Orme (also born in Manchester), and older brother of Edward Orme. An early ... Read More
 5 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
"Dervish With a Lion", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Padarath
Calligrapher: Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi (active late 15th–early 16th century)

Persian Inscription (in lower border, in Shah Jahan’s hand): "Work of Padarath".

During the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan, devotees were fa... Read More
 5 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
"Jahangir and His Vizier, I'timad al-Daula", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Artist: Manohar (active ca. 1582–1624)
Calligrapher: Mir 'Ali Haravi (d. ca. 1550)

While Jahangir (r. 1605–27) and l'timad al-Daula (a title meaning "reliance of the state") greet each other formally in this painting, t... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Deposition from cross with rejoicing angels, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1590-1600.

This painting was probably done for the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r.1605–1627) when he was still a prince living in the 1590s at Lahore, the northern capital of the Mughal empire, now in nort... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Pair of Tibetan Cranes, after a 17th century original by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1800.

Text and image credit: Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Himalayan blue-throated barbet, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Mansur, Mughal, first half 17th century.

Marks and inscriptions:

"amal-e nader al-asr Ostad Mansur naqqash Work of Wonder of the Age Ostad Mansur"

Text and image credit: Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Indian black buck, by Manohar, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1616.

The study of an Indian black buck being led by its keeper was painted by the Mughal court artist Manohar, who signed his work on the green ground at top and bottom of the painting. The posture of the keeper... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A Zebra, by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, 1621.

The zebra in this painting was presented to the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) by Mir Ja'far who had acquired it from some Turks who had travelled to India from Africa. Jahangir wrote on the painting (in Persian, the... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Turkey cock, by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1612

The painting of a North American turkey cock done for the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) records its arrival at the court in 1612. Jahangir had asked his friend Muqarrab Khan to procure rarities of any kind at... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A Himalayan Cheer Pheasant
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Mughal, ascribed to Mansur
c. 1620

Mansur is famous for his studies of birds, animals and flowers. He began his illustrious career during Akbar’s reign and continued to work in the royal library for Jahangir. He and other artist... Read More
 28 Nov 2016 Rare Paintings
A Thames Wharf - 1757
By Samuel Scott

London began in ancient times as a small settlement next to a crossing point of the Thames, and until the mid-19th century the river was still the main route through which all the trading wealth flowed into the City. The docks were literally the gateway to t... Read More
 22 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Temple at Shivganga in the Salt Range of the Punjab, now in Pakistan - 1860

Pencil drawing of a temple at Shivganga in the Salt Range of the Punjab, now in Pakistan, by Sir Henry Yule, dated March 1860. The image is inscribed on the front in pencil: 'Ancient Buddhist portion of a Temple at Sheog... Read More
 21 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
-- Pablo Picasso Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
The Market Place of Trichinopoly showing officers of the Madras Light Infantry, 1800.

Oil on canvas by Philip Le Couteur (1777-1807), 1800.

Trichinopoly (Tiruchchirappalli, Tamil Nadu) is situated on the bank of the River Cauvery (Kaveri) about 56 miles (90km) from the sea, south-west of Madras... Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
6th Gurkha Rifles, 1908 (c).

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1908 (c).

Six soldiers of the 6th Gurkhas spread out along a high ridge, one with binoculars. They wear rifle green uniform with black braid, black gaiters and black 'Kilmarnock' caps. The traditional kukri figh... Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Musalman of the Mysore Transport Corps and a Madrasi Musalman of the Mysore Lancers, 1910.

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1910.

A dismounted Indian officer standing beside a mounted lancer. The Mysore state forces included a lancer unit, reorganised in 1892 for the Imper... Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Mahratta Light Infantry, 1908 (c).

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1908 (c).

Four figures representing the 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry, 110th Mahratta Light Infantry, 114th Mahrattas and 116th Mahrattas. In 1922 the Mahratta regiments were merged to form a single unit a... Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Carnatic Infantry, 1908 (c).

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1908 (c).

The seven figures shown here are from the 86th, 75th, 80th and 73rd Carnatic Infantry, the 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry and the 83rd Wallajahbad Light Infantry. These regiments were originally part ... Read More
 9 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Rajput Regiments, 1908 (c).

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1908 (c).

Six uniformed figures and a bheestie (water seller) with leather flask. The units depicted are: 13th Rajputs Infantry (The Shekhawati Regiment); 7th Duke of Connaught's Own Rajputs; 16th (Rajputs) The L... Read More