THREE FOLIOS WITH DESIGNS FOR TATTOOS, INDIA, CIRCA 1914-1918

Ink and colours on paper

Surface soiling and abrasions, edges frayed and split. 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."

These three folios bear six pages of interesting designs for tattoos. They are not dated, but the form of the merchant ship in one of the designs points to a date in the early decades of the 20th century, and the friendly juxtaposition of the British, French and Japanese flags in one of the designs would indicate a period when these three powers were allies, which occurred during the First World War. The pages also bear numerous price notations in rupees and shillings and pence. Presumably these were the prices for having individual designs tattooed. The designs are as follows:
Folio A: The Crucifixion (full page); verso, soldier from a Scottish Regiment, two butterflies, a snake, a handshake with flags.
Folio B: A snake, a merchant ship with flags, a snake coiled round a tree, and rose, a tombstone; verso, a nude female figure, a vase of flowers, and handshake, and merchant seaman with flags and an anchor.
Folio C: a female figure, an eagle in combat with a snake, a female head and shoulders portrait, a name plate with rose; verso, four flags with a rose, a regimental badge, a rose, a swallow, a tombstone.