A portrait of a courtesan holding a rapier, Indian, Deccan, circa 1600, with 17th century Bukhara borders

Ink drawing heightened with colours and gold, depicting a lady applying kohl and holding a rapier with basket hilt in her left arm, a katar tucked into her sash, laid down on an album page decorated with interlacing blue vines with flower and animal heads, 5 cartouches with inscriptions in nasta'liq script in gold, with two corner cartouches depicting male and female figures, laid down on card

Formerly in the Pan Asian Collection
Sold in these rooms, 20 June 1983, lot 89

In good overall condition, slight rubbing to the album leaf edges, some minor abrasions to the drawing, 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."

This is an interesting drawing. Alongside the many typically Deccani features, there is one that recalls earlier Western Indian painting. This is the way the face of the courtesan is depicted, with a pinched, pointed shape, a sharp nose and a three-quarter profile in which the left eye and cheek protrude quite emphatically. This manner is reminiscent of the depiction of faces in Jain manuscript illustrations of the fifteenth and early sixteenth century; see for instance, two illustrated folios from a Kalpasutra in the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai (Pal 1994, no.82, p.203). The text in four of the cartouches within the border contain a quatrain by Hafiz.