A SADHU AND A MYNAH BIRD

Acquired 1990

Minor surface abrasions and very slight stains. Mounted within Eighteenth Century Provincial Mughal outer borders of gold scrolling foliate designs on natural/buff paper. Verso: some staining and irregular repaired sections. Conservation framed.
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.

A very delicate painting of an sadhu (holyman) clad in a yellow dhoti.  He fingers a mala (rosary) of prayer beads and his hair pulled back and rolled into a small topknot.  Seated on a deerskin rug on a white terrace outside of a fine white marble domed temple or hermitage with gold vessels spread near him.  He is intently looking at a small mynah bird standing on the cut branch of a nearby tree - who stares earnestly in return.  They converse in silence.  Another mynah observes from a higher bough.  A flight of insects cross the sky.  Against a mossy green ground the feathery branches of a tall willow tree arch over the top.

The principal background palette of mossy green and white, capped with a white band and cloudy blue sky - as well as compositional devices like the curiously orderly linear flight of insects and arching wispy willow are indicators of a Bilaspur origin (previously suggested in conversation with the present owner by Toby Falk).  

The subject is unusual.  The mynah bird is a "talking" bird - capable of imitating human speech and appears here locked in a conversation with the holyman - either receiving or delivering a message.  A talking bird - like a winged angel - may be seen metaphorically as a conduit or messenger communicating between heaven and earth.  Another earlier painting from the Deccan finds our sadhu's female Shaivite counterpart depicted as a yogini with a mynah bird (Chester Beatty Library, Dublin: inventory no. IIA.31) standing in an surrealistic dream landscape mysteriously conversing with a tame mynah.