A SNAKE-CHARMER WITH A YOUNG ASSISTANT, DECCAN, BIJAPUR, SECOND HALF OF 17TH CENTURY

Ink and watercolour on paper, inner yellow and red borders, wide blue outer borders

In generally good condition. Slight scuffing and surface abrasions in places. Blue outer borders with offsetting of buff paper on left edge. As viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This is a lively drawing that so effectively conveys the character and movement of a snake-charmer that one can almost hear the lilting and mesmerising music that would emanate from his pipes.

It is closely related to another drawing of a snake-charmer in this sale, lot 6, that is attributed to late 16th or early 17th century Bijapur, and can be related to two illustrations of warriors in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, probably executed in the Deccan, possibly at Ahmadnagar, in the late 15th or 16th century (see Zebrowski 1983, p.25, nos.12-13).

The present drawing is clearly a compositional and stylistic descendant of lot 6, but has similarities to other Deccani works of the mid to late 17th century. The general figural style is related to a drawing of Two Dervishes with a Dog, in the Austrian National Library, Vienna (see Duda 1983, vol.1, p.271, Min.64, Fol.31, vol.2, Pl.468), and the style of the face is close to that of a marbled-paper drawing of a dervish from mid-17th century Bijapur (see Zebrowski 1983, no.102, p.135). Other stylistically-related works have been sold in these rooms, 9 December 1976, lot 76; 21 April 1980, lot 147; and 17 June 1999, lot 29. A drawing of a courtesan executed in a very similar style, and dated to circa 1600, was formerly in the Pan Asian Collection, sold in these rooms, 20 June 1983, lot 89.

Cary Welch's handwritten note on the backboard of the frame is as follows:
"Effective contrast between the heel-twanging, tootling, twisting, vibrating charmer and the static boy"