TWENTY-TWO DESIGNS FOR FURNITURE, BENARES, CIRCA 1880

Watercolour on paper

One throne design:
Room for Wonder, Indian Painting during the British Period, 1760-1880, The American Federation of Arts, New York, 1978
The Indian Heritage, Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1982

One throne design:
Welch 1978, no.67, pp.150-151
Skelton 1982, no.188, p.69
Jaffer 2001, fig.101, p.227

Generally in good condition. 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 set of watercolours is a series of designs for elaborate ornamental furniture, palanquins and interior ornaments. They show an exotic mixture of Indian and European design, with a strong Victorian element. Although the excessive ornamentation might indicate a degree of fantasy in the designs, an actual throne of almost identical form to one of these designs was sold in these rooms (illustrated in Jaffer 2001, fig.100, p.227). This, in turn, is very close in style to a chair throne in which the Maharaja Yadavendra Singh of Patiala was photographed in 1936 (Jackson and Jaffer 2009, p.227). Other examples of furniture and palanquins of similarly ornate designs, often clad in silver, are illustrated in Jaffer 2001, pp. 166, 224, 262, 332, 335, 379, and examples have been sold in these rooms 8 May 1997, lot 162, and in our New York rooms, 2 June 1992, lot 190. Another illustration from the same set, or a very similar one, is in the James Ivory Collection (see Losty 2010, no.68, pp.154-155). Losty mentions that examination of the watermarked paper and inscriptions on a closely related group showed that the actual furniture made from these designs could be ordered from the firm of Madhu Prasad and Beni Prasad of the Roti Kunwan district of Benares, supporting Welch's original attribution of this set. Another related set is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (see Guy and Swallow 1990, no.157, p.182).