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CALCUTTA, INDIA, SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY | Fish Study of a kunta (Barbus Sarana) from 'The Impey Album'
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Fish Study of a kunta (Barbus Sarana) from 'The Impey Album'
- signed Bhawani Das
- watercolour on European (Whatman) paper
- 42.3 by 60.1cm., 16⅝ by 23⅝in.
inscribed at the lower left corner in black, laid down on an album page of stout paper, numbered 71 on the upper left, framed
Condition
In good condition, very minor various stains to the album page, the stout page on which the drawing has been laid on affected by water stains and minor splits to the corners, 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
Further to the new Regulating Act which called for the establishment of law courts in Calcutta, Sir Elijah Impey was nominated Chief Justice in Bengal in 1774 and moved to Calcutta with his wife, Lady Impey. The couple soon developed an interest in the local artistic production and employed a large group of artists, commissioning drawings of flora and fauna that were typical of the Indian subcontinent.
Produced between 1777 and 1783, the Impey album included 326 detailed drawings of birds, animals, and various exotic plants; each identified with their respective Arabic or Persian name and often with a translation in English. Several artists worked for Lady Impey including the renowned Shaykh Zayn al-Din, Bhawani Das (the artist of the present painting) and Ram Das.
The largest collection of fish drawings are now in the Wellcome Collection, London; most of these drawings are all signed by Bhawani Das and each one bear the fish’s Arabic name on the left hand side and often a number on the upper left corner (see among many inv.no. 566704i, 566697i, 566658i, 566764i, 566752i). Another drawing of a fish was offered in these Rooms in 24 April 2013, lot 107.
Produced between 1777 and 1783, the Impey album included 326 detailed drawings of birds, animals, and various exotic plants; each identified with their respective Arabic or Persian name and often with a translation in English. Several artists worked for Lady Impey including the renowned Shaykh Zayn al-Din, Bhawani Das (the artist of the present painting) and Ram Das.
The largest collection of fish drawings are now in the Wellcome Collection, London; most of these drawings are all signed by Bhawani Das and each one bear the fish’s Arabic name on the left hand side and often a number on the upper left corner (see among many inv.no. 566704i, 566697i, 566658i, 566764i, 566752i). Another drawing of a fish was offered in these Rooms in 24 April 2013, lot 107.