- 219
A Bijapuri prince, possibly Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II, Deccan, Bijapur, first half 17th century
Estimate
10,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ink and gouache heightened with gold on paper
ink and gouache heightened with gold on paper, the painting depicting a turbaned figure holding a manuscript and prayer beads, laid down on a marbled album page, the outer borders containing panels of black nasta'liq script, the reverse with a central panel of calligraphy in nasta'liq script in black ink
Condition
In reasonably good overall condition, some staining to the painting, some worm holes to the outer borders,others filled in, three corners strengthened, otherwise good, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The facial features of the figure depicted here bear a resemblance to those of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur (r.1594-1627), and the book he is holding may symbolise this ruler's patronage of the arts and bibliophilic interests. He employed a large number of talented artists, poets and calligraphers, and his library was legendary among contemporary rulers. Indeed, at least two thousand manuscripts and illustrations were sent to the Mughal court as tribute in 1601.
The exquisite marbled album borders in which the miniature and the calligraphy are set are distinctive and resemble several folios in the well-known Read Albums in the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York (see Schmitz 1997, pl.42, figs.182, 236, 237). Another closely related album page, also bearing a Deccani miniature and nasta'liq calligraphy on the reverse, is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (M.90.141.3, see Pal 1993, no.96, pp.320-322) and is almost certainly from the same album as the present work. Whether both are dispersed leaves from the Read Albums is debatable. Their size is very slightly smaller than the relevant folios in the Pierpont Morgan Library, but this could of course be accounted for by later trimming, and the borders of the Los Angeles example are damaged and fragmentary. Two further related album pages were sold in our New York rooms, 21 March 2012, lot 226, and in the Doris Wiener Collection, Christie's, New York, 20 March 2012, lot 234.
The exquisite marbled album borders in which the miniature and the calligraphy are set are distinctive and resemble several folios in the well-known Read Albums in the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York (see Schmitz 1997, pl.42, figs.182, 236, 237). Another closely related album page, also bearing a Deccani miniature and nasta'liq calligraphy on the reverse, is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (M.90.141.3, see Pal 1993, no.96, pp.320-322) and is almost certainly from the same album as the present work. Whether both are dispersed leaves from the Read Albums is debatable. Their size is very slightly smaller than the relevant folios in the Pierpont Morgan Library, but this could of course be accounted for by later trimming, and the borders of the Los Angeles example are damaged and fragmentary. Two further related album pages were sold in our New York rooms, 21 March 2012, lot 226, and in the Doris Wiener Collection, Christie's, New York, 20 March 2012, lot 234.