- 102
EIGHT SCENES FROM THE RAMAYANA, INDIA, COMPANY SCHOOL, EARLY 19TH CENTURY |
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- each 26.5 by 43.5cm.
watercolour on watermarked paper dated 1794, with inscriptions in Telugu
Condition
In overall good condition, with minor stains and minor creases, all mounted, 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 set of eight watercolours depicts scenes from the Ramayana all identified with inscriptions in Telugu, a Dravidian language spoken in south-central India. The inscriptions translate as follow:
10. Rama breaking Shiva's Dhanush (bow) to win Sita as wife at Janaka emperor's palace.
11. Emperor Janaka receiving great king Dhasaratha on the occasion of Sri Rama's wedding.
91. Lakshmana bestowing Vibhishana at his coronation ceremony.
97. Coronation ceremony of Sri Rama.
102. Surpanaka in agony, furiously conveying to Ravaneshwar about Lakshmana cutting her nose and ears. All located in elaborated architectural settings scenes, each drawing is a triumph of the colonial architecture of British India in the second half of the eighteenth century. Open courtyards, symmetrical buildings on two floors, colonnaded aisles, arched doors and porticoes are all a reminder of the architecture of that period. There is a great attention to detail, from very colourful costumes (in many scenes are soldiers wearing the typical red uniform with khaki/yellow trousers) to the decoration of the buildings (see for example the row of vases on top of drawing 1, curtains and even cannons, present in drawings 91 and 97). On the upper left corner of drawing 20, the upper section of two temples are very possibly those in Madurai. For a further illustration see the inside front cover of this catalogue.
10. Rama breaking Shiva's Dhanush (bow) to win Sita as wife at Janaka emperor's palace.
11. Emperor Janaka receiving great king Dhasaratha on the occasion of Sri Rama's wedding.
91. Lakshmana bestowing Vibhishana at his coronation ceremony.
97. Coronation ceremony of Sri Rama.
102. Surpanaka in agony, furiously conveying to Ravaneshwar about Lakshmana cutting her nose and ears. All located in elaborated architectural settings scenes, each drawing is a triumph of the colonial architecture of British India in the second half of the eighteenth century. Open courtyards, symmetrical buildings on two floors, colonnaded aisles, arched doors and porticoes are all a reminder of the architecture of that period. There is a great attention to detail, from very colourful costumes (in many scenes are soldiers wearing the typical red uniform with khaki/yellow trousers) to the decoration of the buildings (see for example the row of vases on top of drawing 1, curtains and even cannons, present in drawings 91 and 97). On the upper left corner of drawing 20, the upper section of two temples are very possibly those in Madurai. For a further illustration see the inside front cover of this catalogue.