Rare Paintings
 26 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
The new Mint on the Strand, Calcutta - 1829

Watercolour of the new Mint on the Strand in Calcutta by Thomas Prinsep (1800-1830) dated c.1829. Inscribed on the album page: 'Calcutta' and 'New Mint Calcutta'. This view is taken from the south. The new Silver Mint is situated north of Howrah Bridge... Read More
 26 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Two views on the one sheet of the exterior and interior of the temporary tomb of Sa'adat 'Ali Khan at Lucknow - 1814

Watercolour of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan's tomb in Lucknow from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Cawnpore to Mohumdy Vol. IV' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by ... Read More
 22 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Robert Home (1752-1834) and the Daniells

By April 1792 having spent much of the previous year witnessing events of the third Mysore war, Robert Home had settled in Fort St George and established a studio. Besides painting portraits, he was working-up his sketches made during the campaigns in Mys... Read More
 21 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Thomas Daniell (1749-1840) and William Daniell (1769-1837)

In London art circles, Hodges' visit to India was quickly recognised as successful. Within six months of his return, Thomas Daniell's application to proceed to India as an engraver was approved by the Company's Directors on 1 December 17... Read More
 20 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
William Hodges in Calcutta

On reaching Calcutta from Madras in March 1781, Hodges soon met Warren Hastings, who became his patron and life-long friend. In an unusual gesture, Hastings also arranged for the Company to grant him an annual salary of 12,000 rupees. Much refreshed by the voyage, Hodg... Read More
 16 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Tilly Kettle in Madras

When Kettle arrived at Madras, barely four months had passed since Haidar Ali, ruler of Mysore, and his troops had threatened to invade the city. But the Treaty of Madras between Haidar Ali and the British had concluded the first Mysore war, and Kettle was able to set up h... Read More
 14 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
The PALA Dynasty ruled Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries from the middle of the 8th century AD. Founded by Gopala, the rule of the dynasty underwent various vicissitudes and lasted for eighteen generations of kings.

The brightest aspect of Pala glories was manifest in the field of differ... Read More
 13 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Plan of the Position of the Confederate Armies under the direction of Earl Cornwallis before Seringapatam from the 5th to the 24th February 1792 when the Cessation of Hostilities took place - 1792

This pen and ink and watercolour plan was drawn by Robert Home (1752-1834) in 1792. It is one of a ... Read More
 13 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
David Wilkie (1785-1841)
One of the most majestic oil paintings relating to Tipu’s death was painted by David Wilkie many years after the event took place. The work was largely the result of a life-long personal grudge. The Scottish officer Sir David Baird (1757-1829), who had served in each Myso... Read More
 10 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Shere Ali Akbar, Amir of Afghanistan (1825-79)
c.1865

Watercolour over a photograph on ivory laid on card, with recent backing card adhered to the whole.
Oval: 6.5 x 5.2 cm

First recorded in the Royal Collection during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Source : Royal Collection Read More
 8 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Christ Before Pilate, in the Salvin Hours - 1275

Named for its 17th- to early 20th-century owners, the Salvin Hours is one of the largest and most richly decorated English books of hours. Its decoration, created by two artists, resembles contemporary wall paintings in the Oxford area, suggesting... Read More
 5 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Exhibition on Indian Art during the Imperial Past (1600-1800)

The Mughal monuments of Agra and its vicinity were already greatly admired when the British established themselves in Agra in the years after the capture of the city from the Marathas in 1803. Drawings by Agra draughtsmen of the great... Read More
 5 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Sita Ram (fl. 1810-1822)
The Taj Mahal in morning light inscribed 'Taj at Agra & part of the Garden in the Morning fromthe East (lower centre on the backing sheet, overmounted) pencil and watercolour
16 1/8in. x 24 3/8 in. (40.9cm. x 61.9cm.)

Literature :
P. Pratapaditya, J. Leoshko, J. Dye a... Read More
 5 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Sita Ram, circa 1814-1815
The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) within the Red Fort, Agra with erroneous inscription 'South Gate of the fort at Agra' (on the backing sheet, overmounted) pencil and watercolour, fragmentary watermark
15¼ x 24 in. (38.5 x 61 cm.)

Lot Notes :
Between 1814 and 1815 Sita R... Read More
 5 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
The tomb and garden of Itimad al-Daulah at Agra - 1815

Watercolour of I'timad al-Daulah's tomb from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Agra to Barrackpore Vol. X' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal... Read More
 5 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Sir Francis Rawdon (1754-1826) - The elusive Marquess of Hastings
mentioned in the narrative of all paintings of Sita Ram.

Born in the county of Down, Northern Ireland, the second of six children of John Rawdon (March 17, 1720 – June 20, 1793, Earl of Moira) and his third wife, Elizabeth Hastin... Read More
 3 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
The unfinished monument to the Marquis Cornwallis at Ghazipur - 1814

Watercolour of the unfinished Marquis Cornwallis monument at Ghazipur from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Patna to Benares Vol. II' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess o... Read More
 3 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
House at Ghazipur which Lord Cornwallis inhabited at the time of his death - 1814

Watercolour of a house inhabited by Lord Cornwallis from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Patna to Benares Vol. II' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Has... Read More
 3 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Mather Brown (christened October 11, 1761–May 25, 1831) was a portrait and historical painter, born in Boston, Massachusetts, but active in England.

Brown was the son of Gawen and Elizabeth (Byles) Brown, and descended from the Rev. Increase Mather on his mother's side. He was taught by his aunt... Read More
 2 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
Twenty-five Propositions On Book Collecting
By Bennett Gilbert
Copyright © 1996 Bennett Gilbert

1. Old books are part of the history of communication and expression.

2. As such they are an especially powerful, complex, interesting, and beautiful part of the chain of human thought, speech, and ... Read More
 2 Sep 2011 Rare Paintings
William Simpson (1823-1899) -- "Prince of Pictorial Correspondents"
By Adrian Lipscomb (Simpson's Great Grandson)

"...Simpson's achievements away from the world's battlefields were equally, if not more, memorable. He went to India several times, and, as so often happens with that deceptive subco... Read More