Indo-Persian Miniature of Two Ladies with Birds in a Garden, North India, c. 1880? 1900

Anonymous

Edité par [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], North India, 1885

Artistic Context & Overview A refined late 19th-century Indo-Persian miniature, painted during the decline of Mughal imperial patronage and the flourishing of regional courtly workshops in North India. The image depicts two elegantly dressed women in a palace garden, pointing skyward at a pair of white birds over a lotus pond and moonlit landscape. The composition, delicate use of color, and poetic subject reflect the intersection of Mughal, Rajasthani, and Persian miniature traditions, while the use of manuscript paper for the painting embodies practical and aesthetic values. Visual/Technical Description Executed in gouache and ink on handmade, brown-patinated rag paper, the scene is set within a cusped arch and decorated with floral border motifs. The women are adorned in period costume and jewelry, their gestures animated as they interact with the birds and each other. Details include a checkered marble terrace, flowing fountain, lush botanical background, and subtle moonlight. Urdu/Persian Nastaliq script borders the image at left, bottom, and upper panels, blending literary and visual elements. The painting is vibrant and stable, with minor historical wear. Material/Manuscript Context Painted directly over a reused Persian/Urdu manuscript folio, the work preserves dense black ink script above and below the image on the recto, and additional lines on the left margin. The reverse retains three prominent blocks of Nastaliq script, including legal or property notations and poetic formulas. Such integration of painting and manuscript reflects the creative economy of late 19th-century North India and the importance of textual tradition. Condition Very good for age. Paper shows typical patina, slight edge and corner wear, a few small losses, and gentle creasing. Script remains legible; paint layer is vibrant and undisturbed. No modern restoration. All wear is consistent with period and authentic manuscript use. Provenance / Significance From a private collection, North India c. early 2000s. The piece is notable for its lively subject, strong color, and preservation of original literary and legal manuscript elements. Such works provide valuable evidence of both artistic and social practice in the era. Translation and Analysis Reverse: Urdu/Persian legal/accounting text in Nastaliq script. 1. Top block: ?Record of transfer and settlement between [name] and [name], as witnessed in the year 1299 AH (c. 1882 CE).? 2. ?Details of jewelry, gold, and furnishings transferred to [recipient], entered before witnesses.? 3. ?Account confirmed and witnessed by elders and heads of household.? 4. ?May prosperity and blessing follow all heirs and their families.? 5. Lower left: ?This document is entered in accordance with custom and local law, by order of [name or title, partly obscured].? 6. Lower right: ?Account and property tally completed, all signatures present.? Conclusion A vivid Indo-Persian miniature combining lively garden subject matter, rich manuscript context, and authentic surface wear. Its combination of literary and legal traditions with pictorial art offers a unique window into North Indian courtly life and the documentation practices of the 19th century. N° de réf. du vendeur IPM 2025-09-24-50

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : Indo-Persian Miniature of Two Ladies with ...
Éditeur : [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], North India
Date d'édition : 1885
Reliure : Pas de couverture
Illustrateur : Unique handmade miniature painting on a repurposed manuscript folio
Etat : Assez bon
Etat de la jaquette : Pas de jaquette