An Illustrated and Illuminated double-sided album page: An equestrian portrait of Ali Mardan Khan; a Lady at her toilet, India, Deccan, 18th century

Gouache heightened with gold on paper, equestrian portrait extended slightly at lower edge, miniatures mounted on an album leaf with gold-decorated pink borders, one side with panels of Nasta`liq calligraphy

The equestrian portrait in good condition, few minor stain spots on surface, some traces of adhesive to the top left corner and on right hand side, notably by horse's leg, some very light craquelure to pigment on horse and some losses due to rubbing, some restoration and repainting around outline of horse, warrior and eagle, wear to external edge, image of a lady at her toilet also with some minor stains on surface and subsequent areas of discoloration, small tear to top of right edge and areas of rubbing to top and bottom of image, some discoloration to calligraphy below image and wear to external edge shared with image on other side, 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."

There were several prominent figures in Safavid and Mughal history named Ali Mardan Khan, including one who lived during the period of Shah Jahan in the second quarter of the seventeenth century and three who lived during the period of Nadir Shah in the second quarter of the eighteenth century. The most likely candidate for the identity of the present portrait is the Ali Mardan Khan who was Safavid governor of Qandahar and who, in 1638, changed his allegiance to the Mughals and was received with honours in Delhi by Shah Jahan, but it is possible that it was the Ali Mardan Khan who was sent as ambassador to Delhi by Nadir Shah in the 1730s. Either way, he must have been quite a popular figure since another Deccani portrait of him, almost identical in composition to the present example, was sold in our New York rooms on 9 December 1980, lot 44. That album leaf seems to have been similar in format to the present one, since it also had a female portrait on the reverse.