An illustrated and illuminated album page: a gathering around a Sufi saint, North India, Mughal, early 19th century

watercolour and pencil heighten in gold on paper, the borders decorated with gold flowers, the reverse with 5 lines of nasta’liq and 2 lines of naskh in black ink on light marbled paper within clouds against a gold ground decorated with flowers

In very good condition, minor stains and rubbing and traces of folds, minor rubbing to the calligraphy 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 painting is an early nineteenth-century copy of a Mughal drawing, probably attributable to the first decades of the 1800s, North India, Delhi school. An almost identical Mughal scene, datable to circa 1600, was sold in these rooms, 26 March 1973, lot 17. It is worth nothing the presence of surah al-Fatiha (I) on the reverse of this album page, written in nasta'liq script on marbled paper. It is quite rare to find Qur'an verses executed in nasta'liq and the panel most likely pre-dates the drawing.