AN ILLUSTRATION DEPICTING BANASURA PROSTRATING BEFORE SHIVA AND PARVATI

Alice Heeramaneck, Masterpieces of Indian Painting, Verona, 1984, pl. 121, p.131

Fair and stable overall condition. Loss to paper on the extreme left corner clearly visible in catalog illustration. Further losses along the upper margin, lower middle and lower right margins all visible in catalog illustration. Scuffing and losses to pigment are all clearly seen in catalog illustration. A few scattered pinholes on the top, a pronounced diagonal crease from upper middle to lower right. The faces and figures of shiva, parvati, banasura, nandi and kartikeya are all in very good condition, save a few scattered scuff marks. The oranges are slightly lighter in reality. This lot is exhibited in a temporary frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The thousand-armed asura king Banasura prostrates before Parvati and Shiva during their descent from their abode on Mount Kailasa.  Parvati reaches down to bestow a boon upon him. Kartikeya holds a pennant and bow and arrow, as Nandi the Bull waits patiently below.

Despite its fragmentary condition, our painting remains representative of the quality of works produced by the masters of the Seu-Nainsukh atelier - a superb example and among  the highest quality painting known from the Punjab Hills.