A magnificent Mughal carved ivory flywhisk, India, circa 1650

This lot contains ivory. Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. Please note that CITES licences are required for the export of any restricted species from the UK, including to EU countries. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Ex-collection Nicolas Landau (1887-1979), Paris, 1950s/1960s.
Francesca Galloway, London, 2009.
Private collection, U.K. 

This flywhisk is the only mid-seventeenth century Mughal ivory example of the type known to be in private hands. It is known that flywhisks were made in pairs and the companion to our example is now in the David Collection Museum, Copenhagen, inv. no.215.2006. Both fly whisks originate from the celebrated collection of N.E. Landau ('Prince des antiquaires') in Paris.

An interesting comparison can be drawn with miniature paintings of the period in which the attention to natural details is noteworthy. This accords with the general interest in accurate observation of flora and fauna by Mughal emperors and their artists. Each of the Mughal emperors from Babur (1526-30) onwards expressed an interest in the natural world, and their memoirs are full of allusions to the beauty of a bird or plant that caught their attention. This passion is evident in the sculptural quality and precision of each individual petal, leaf and stem on the present example, echoing the magnificent flora carved in the marble dado of the tomb chamber of the Taj Mahal (circa 1631).

By the time of the Mughal Empire, the flywhisk, or chauri, had left behind its functional role and had been established as an emblem of office, held above the head of a ruler at court and in royal portraiture. Flywhisks of similar form are depicted in miniature paintings of the period, shown used by servants of noble personages to shoo away flies or, as would have been the case with this flywhisk, to create a gentle cooling breeze for their master. The role of holding the flywhisk, the chauri bearer, had become an official court position. This particular handle may have held a batch of peacock feathers, further enhancing its overall elegance and luxurious effect.