- 96
North India
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Emperor Akbar Riding an Elephant on a Hunting Expedition
- painting: 20.5 by 15.2cm., 8 1/16 by 6in.
opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, framed
Condition
In generally good condition, minor creases, minor stains and rubbing, 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
This exquisite drawing is executed in the nim-qalam style favoured by artists towards the later part of Akbar's reign. Similar illustrations have appeared in several manuscripts dating from 1600 to 1605. The current lot relates closely to a nim-qalam drawing in the V&A depicting Akbar hawking, dated circa 1600-05 (Stronge 2002, pl.75), another in the Goenka collection in Mumbai (Goswamy & Bhatia 1999, no.47) and another attributed to Sur Das sold through these rooms 17 June 1993, lot 166. All these illustrations are finely drawn and heightened with a subtle use of colour wash and gold. The elephant in the present example is particularly well rendered, he possesses a mischievous smile as he chases the fleeing attendants, his elaborate ostrich feather headdress and saddlecloth billowing in the wind.
Elephants were highly prized in the Mughal court and according to Abu'l Fazl, Akbar had 101 elephants for his personal use alone. A well known painting from the first Akbarnama shows the Emperor riding the elephant Hawa'i across a collapsing bridge of boats (op.cit. pl.49). Named portraits of elephants appeared from the seventeenth century onwards, a number of which are in the Hodgkin collection (see Topsfield 2012, nos.20-25).