King David playing the harp, India, Delhi, circa 1800

Gouache with gold on paper, inscription of identification at upper centre "shabihi Hazrat Mihtar Dawud alayhu al-salam" (an image of the Holy Prince David peace be upon him), borders with floral designs in colours and gold on cream paper

In the Collection of William (1784-1835) and James Fraser (1783-1856)
By direct descent to Malcolm R. Fraser Esq

Sotheby's, London, 14 October 1980, lot 207

This painting is a direct copy of a well-known miniature by Manohar from a seventeenth-century royal album prepared for Shah Jahan, formerly in the collection of the British Rail Pension Fund (sold in these rooms 16 April 1984, lot 87, and again 23 April 1996, lot 8), now in the David Collection, Copenhagen (31/2001, see von Folsach 2007, no.101, pp.186-187). Interestingly, the original does not bear an inscription of identification, whereas this one does.