A SHAIVITE SADHU AND HIS YOUTHFUL ACOLYTEINDIA, AWADH OR LUCKNOW, CIRCA 1780'S | A SHAIVITE SADHU AND HIS YOUTHFUL ACOLYTE

A gray-bearded Shaivite sadhu sits legs-crossed in meditative pose on a tiger-skin, clad in a loincloth, his hair pulled back into a topknot with a crook under his right arm.  The scene is set against the evening sky in front of a small white marble hermitage capped by a gold finial and red pennant.  Two stylized trees are placed at left and right.  His (nearly identical) young acolyte stands dutifully behind holding a morchal over his shoulder as they appear to await the arrival of a devotee.

In very good overall condition. Some flaking to the brown ground of the lower dais. Minor watermarks in the upper left quadrant in grey ground of image. Minor wear to all four edges of the image.
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 relatable Eighteenth Century Mughal painting in the Norton Simon Museum Pasadena (accession numberP.2003.06.1) depicts an ash-smeared sadhu and his disciple meeting devotees at night.